Tasers, new staff welcome, but cost pressures remain

Budget funding for Tasers and an additional 600 police, including 300 to Counties-Manukau, is welcome, but cost pressures in Police are building, Police Association Vice-President Stuart Mills said today.

“Extra frontline staff will be very gratefully received, especially in Counties-Manukau, where it has been widely acknowledged that numbers are tight. Similarly, with the increasing violence faced by officers on a daily basis, Tasers can’t come soon enough,” Mr Mills said.

“However, the overall Budget allocation for Police has not increased from last year. That means Police are not being funded to match inflation-related cost pressures, or allow for fair pay movements. That means, despite the new staff, this will be a tough year,” Mr Mills said.