No front line cuts – pull the other one

Anne Tolley’s assurance that this year’s Budget will have no impact on the front line is just pure nonsense, said Labour’s Police spokesperson Kris Faafoi.

“The Police this year face significant budgetary pressures and increased costs. No increase in their budget will mean that our officers on the front line will be going backwards.

“Essentially, National is making frontline cuts because cops will have waste precious time doing paperwork when they should be out protecting the community and solving crime.

“Earlier this year, Police Minister Anne Tolley said frontline officers were telling her that they wanted to be out there protecting the public instead of doing paper work.

“Well this year’s Budget and the decision to cut 125 back office jobs will mean police who want to be out patrolling will be in front of their computers instead with their heads buried in even more paperwork.

“Kiwis won’t be fooled. It’s going to be even tougher for our police to maintain their high level of service to our communities. And that will have a real impact on New Zealanders.”