The Police Commissioner's comments on fleeing driver pursuits only "reinforces all the worst fears a lot of people have" about the police response to the current "law and order crisis", National's Paul Goldsmith says.
Andrew Coster on Wednesday told AM that in the decade before changes to police's pursuit policy "we killed 60 people through police pursuits". Those comments have angered frontline officers, who argue that the fleeing drivers are primarily responsible for the deaths.
An email leaked to AM shows Coster has now apologised to staff, admitting that "responsibility for harm caused must ultimately fall at the feet of the fleeing driver".
"However, that should not stop us considering how police pursuit settings need to be calibrated to balance public safety with the interest in apprehending offenders.
"The words I used, in the context of that live interview, did not convey this meaning well. I apologise for that, it was not what I intended."
Goldsmith, National's Justice spokesperson, told AM on Friday that officers would be "very angry" with Coster's "implication… that it is police's fault that there have been deaths from chases".
"Obviously, the people who are driving are primarily responsible. The broader issue, of course, that everyone is concerned about is where are the consequences for fleeing and how do we deal with this law and order crisis that is developing on our streets, in our communities and in our houses."
There has been a serious uptick in crime over recent months, particularly in Auckland, with a spate of ram raids, a number of drive-by shootings, and police frequently responding to gang activity.
Goldsmith says Kiwis are concerned about the current crime wave.
"They are not seeing an effective response, and then to hear the Commissioner saying actually it's the police's fault, that only reinforces all the worst fears a lot of people have."
Businessman Sunny Kaushal told AM on Friday that a "sense of lawlessness is now gripping all of New Zealand" and he believes Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern should "declare a crime emergency".
"There is a lot of anger and frustrations among these businesses and communities now…It's very serious because now even the customers aren't safe," he said.
Labour minister David Parker, appearing alongside Goldsmith on AM, said Coster's "choice of words wasn't perfect".
"He's apologised. I think that's fair enough," Parker said.
The minister went on to suggest Coster was "frustrated" in the Tuesday interview as AM host Ryan Bridge was "trying to pin him on [the] firearms problems that we've got at the moment".
"I think you saw a bit of his frustration coming out at the end of that interview. He didn't choose his words properly. He had a bit of a kickback and so he's apologised. He's big man. He can apologise, I should so think.
"He is right to say that we've tightened the gun laws, that we've got rid of the semi-automatics, that we've introduced laws that make for a gun register so that everyone has to have a gun on a register. Then you can hold the people to account who've no longer got their gun because they've given it to a gang."
Goldsmith said, despite that, there is a "general mood and message of this Government which is effectively soft on crime". Parker denied that, pointing to police officer increases and the anti-gang unit.
During Bridge's interview with Coster on Tuesday, the Commissioner said police are "dealing with the consequences of decades of lax gun control" and there is currently an "elevated" level of violence. He said police now have the funding and legislation to set up regulation, "but it will take some time".
Following the March 15 shootings, Parliament banned military-style semi-automatics (MSSA) and assault rifles, as well as parts that can be used to convert guns into MSSAs. A buyback scheme was introduced, netting about 60,000 firearms, while a firearms register is expected to be established by mid-2023.
As there currently isn't a register, Coster said police don't know how many guns criminals have.
"Clearly, there is a huge amount that we don't know, but what I can say is we have the tools that we need to tighten up. Be it around who gets a firearms licence, around accountability that if you buy a firearm today that you've still got it unless you have sold it to someone who is allowed it.
"All of those things need to come through and they will take time. In the meantime, we have to target those who see fit to use this violence."
As part of Budget 2022, the Government unveiled a $600 million package it says will lead to an increase in police numbers and more capability to tackle gang violence. Last month, a $6 million investment in a small retail crime prevention programme was announced.
The Government's also introducing Firearms Prohibition Orders (FPO), but the Opposition says it's been too slow on this and such orders should come with warrantless search powers for police.
