Policy Area: Law and Order and Police

Statement of General Direction:

A stronger approach to law enforcement and the development of additional strategies to attack crime at its roots. Our policy approach will also aim to inhibit the growth of a societal underclass.

Key Initiatives of Policy:

Return to dedicated traffic safety squads within the Police.

Review the CYPF Act to especially include stronger targeting of juvenile repeat offenders.

Consider the integration of emergency services. Civil Defence, Ambulance Service and Fire Service under one umbrella.

Review legislation concerned with the confiscation of motor vehicles for repeat offenders with a view to toughening the penalties.

After the review on firearms legislation is completed, consider the licensing of both firearms and owners.

Review of Victim Support.

Increase Victim Support resources by 50% in 1997/98 Budget. Review of legislation to make criminalsmore financially accountable for their criminal actions including deductions at source.

Right of victims to be heard at parole hearings.

Create 500 new Police positions (over first three years). The aim will be:

• To boost frontline Police personnel numbers
• To establish or enhance designated squads to confront organised crime
• To boost designated traffic safety and patrol teams
• To boost the Police capacity to deal with juvenile crime
• To boost community oriented policing
• To ensure a greater emphasis on policing gangs
• To enhance designated drug squads
• Review the manner in w
• hich Police resources are utilised.

Consider a discretionary power to the Police to require three days' notification of a defendant's intention to apply to the Court for bail and a copy of the grounds supporting that application. Pursue the widening of the Police capacity to use electronic surveillance against organised crime. Ensure that the Police and local government have the powers to remove gang fortifications without delay. Ensure laws to effectively deal with criminals consorting.

Reform speed camera policies and practices so as to direct their revenue into policing roads, driver education and safety promotion.

Emphasise covert as opposed to overt speed camera siting.

Fiscal Implications of this Policy Agreement:

(All funding proposals subject to being considered within the agreed spending policy parameters.)

Legislative Implications of this Policy Agreement:

Review of The Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act will result in amendments.

Possible legislation covers:

• Firearms
• Drink driving
• Victim restitution
• Criminal consorting laws
• Bail laws.