Tamatha Paul Criticizes Police Visibility Concerns with Their Research

Atereano Mateariki Tamatha Paul | Tamatha Paul Criticizes Police Visibility Concerns with Their Research

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Greens MP Tamatha Paul says police research supports her claim that a “visible police presence” makes people uneasy.

She has faced criticism from both Government and Opposition MPs for comments made at a University of Canterbury panel.

Paul points to last year’s Understanding Police Delivery report, which found that Māori are disproportionately charged with crime.

“Māori are 11 times more likely to be charged with the same offenses as non-Māori. There is systemic bias and systemic racism within our police and somehow it’s a problem that I’m bringing that up in this place,” says Paul.

She wants more government support for Māori and Pasifika Wardens and other non-police initiatives that act as ethical bystanders on the streets.

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