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November 22, 2024
Gangs Act sparks concern over policing impact
Atereano Mateariki
Posted On November 22, 2024
Download AudioA research director who worked with the Police on a recent report is questioning the new Gangs Act, which took effect yesterday. `
The law allows Police to seize gang patches, ban public gatherings, and treat gang membership as an aggravating factor in sentencing.
Catherine Leonard from Ihi Research says while Police must enforce laws, how they do so shapes their legacy.
She says research for the Understanding Policing Delivery project revealed lasting negative perceptions of Police among gang whānau due to bad early interactions when they were tamariki.
“So they may have had invasive searches with armed offenders in their house, and their young, small children, and perception that they have of police in these interactions. So these things actually may exacerbate opposition between gangs and policing,” says Leonard.
Catherine Leonard says when gangs are included in community conversations, communities can be safer.
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