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Police and Corrections Minister Anne Tolley has announced that the country’s first sex offender register, the Child Protection Offender Register, is to be introduced to help keep communities safe.

Police and Corrections Minister Anne Tolley says the Government is taking action to tackle and prevent gang crime, to reduce the harm it causes to families and communities.

For the first time, a multi-agency approach involving intelligence-gathering, enhanced law enforcement, prevention, intervention, rehabilitation and reintegration will be adopted to address New Zealand gangs and transnational crime groups. 

Police Minister Anne Tolley and Commerce Minister Craig Foss today welcomed an updated memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).

Mrs Tolley, as the Minister responsible for the SFO, says continued coordination and cooperation between the two agencies will improve efficiency and effectiveness.

“This MOU will enable faster and more effective prosecutions by streamlining processes to avoid duplication and make the most of each agency’s resources.”

Police Minister Anne Tolley has presented special commemorative service awards to the five Chinese police staff that helped identify victims following the Christchurch earthquake in 2011. 

The Canterbury Earthquake Dress Distinction Ribbon was presented to disaster specialists at a ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Public Security’s Forensic Centre in Beijing.

“It was an honour to present these awards to Chinese Police staff, and to acknowledge the 23 Chinese victims who lost their lives during the Christchurch earthquake,” says Mrs Tolley.

Police Minister Anne Tolley is travelling to Beijing, Guangzhou and Hong Kong from 12-19 July, where she will reinforce the strong crime-fighting cooperation that exists between New Zealand and China.

Police Minister Anne Tolley has congratulated Police for their success in the 2014 IPANZ awards, which included the Prime Minister’s award for their Prevention First model.

This top award acknowledges public sector excellence and excellence in improving public value through business transformation.

Overall, Police were successful in four categories, on their own and alongside justice sector partners.

“The recognition for Prevention First, and its results for our communities, is thoroughly deserved,” says Mrs Tolley.

A cross-government approach to prevent family violence proposes new Justice sector initiatives to keep women and children safe, Justice Minister Judith Collins and Police and Corrections Minister Anne Tolley announced today.

“The high rate of family violence in New Zealand is unacceptable – too many domestic violence victims continue to be re-victimised even when a protection order is in place,” Ms Collins says.

Police Minister Anne Tolley has today officially opened the new Rotorua Police station and Bay of Plenty District headquarters.

The new building, costing $18.3 million, is the sixteenth new Police station to open since the start of 2009, with a total cost across all of the projects of $145 million.

“This new station represents a significant investment in the Rotorua area and is a great new asset for Police and local communities,” says Mrs Tolley.

Police Minister Anne Tolley has officially opened a new National Command and Coordination Centre in Wellington, which will use the latest technology to tackle and prevent crime and to keep New Zealanders safe.

The Command Centre, based at Police National Headquarters, will provide staff with real-time information on emerging issues across the country.

This will allow Police to deploy staff more effectively in response to developing events, so that strategic operational decisions can be coordinated.

Police Minister Anne Tolley and Revenue Minister Todd McClay say a new information-sharing agreement between Inland Revenue and the Police will help fight serious crime.

Starting in August, Police will be able to request relevant personal information from Inland Revenue when they have reasonable grounds to suspect a serious offence has or is being committed. Serious crimes are defined as crimes punishable by a jail sentence of four years or more.

Police Minister Anne Tolley has welcomed the release of an Independent Police Conduct Authority report on Police handling of “Roastbusters” media enquiries.

“The report confirms that there was a communication breakdown within Police,” says Mrs Tolley.

“Although not deliberate, this was disappointing and the Commissioner personally apologised to me at the time for this mistake.

Police Minister Anne Tolley says legislation has been introduced which will enable Police to strengthen its vetting service.

The Policing Act 2008 will be amended through the Policing (Cost Recovery) Amendment Bill to include provisions for the Police to recover the costs of certain services.

Cabinet has agreed that this will only apply to Police vetting, and once the Bill is passed regulations will be implemented to set small charges for the service.

Budget 2014 builds on the successful results of recent years in reducing crime and reoffending to ensure there are fewer victims of crime, Police and Corrections Minister Anne Tolley says.

“Police and Corrections will continue to target their resources to prevent crime and address the drivers of crime to make our communities safer,” she says.

“Both organisations have delivered fantastic results and I am confident that great gains will continue to be made as a result of this smarter approach.”

Police Minister Anne Tolley says that Police reported significantly fewer serious assaults and public disorder offences after changes to alcohol laws came into full effect at the end of last year.

Maximum trading hours, new infringement offences and new enforcement powers for Police were introduced on 18 December 2013, following the full implementation of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.

Police Minister Anne Tolley and Customs Minister Maurice Williamson have announced that New Zealand’s drug enforcement relationship with China is being strengthened to help identify organised criminals in China and reduce the supply of precursors and methamphetamine into this country.

The new initiative will play a key part in the Government’s Methamphetamine Action Plan, and follows the signing of a Memorandum of Arrangement (MOA) on precursor controls between China and New Zealand in April 2013.

Police Minister Anne Tolley has congratulated Police Commissioner Peter Marshall on his long and distinguished career serving the New Zealand public, as he prepares to retire from the service.

“Peter Marshall has led by example at home and overseas since joining the New Zealand Police in 1972,” says Mrs Tolley.

“He has been an extremely successful Commissioner, with crime falling in each of his three years at the helm.

Police Minister Anne Tolley has congratulated Police staff following the announcement that recorded crimes have fallen for the fourth year in a row, down a total of 20.2 per cent, to their lowest figure in 29 years.

“Fewer crimes means fewer victims and safer communities, and I want to thank our officers for everything they are doing to serve and protect the public,” says Mrs Tolley.

Offences dropped by 4.1 per cent in 2013, with 15,602 fewer recorded crimes compared to the year before, and 90,994 fewer offences in 2013 compared to 2009.

Police Minister Anne Tolley has announced the appointment of current Deputy Commissioner Operations, Mike Bush MNZM, as the next Commissioner of Police.

Mr Bush, who has a wide range of operational experience both in New Zealand and overseas, has been appointed for a three-year term which commences on 3 April 2014.

Mr Bush has been Deputy Commissioner Operations since April 2011, and through Prevention First and Policing Excellence has managed a change programme in Police which has contributed to a 17.4 per cent drop in recorded crimes over the past three years.

Police Minister Anne Tolley says illegal street racing offences have reduced by 49.6 per cent in the last four years, contributing to safer roads, fewer deaths and injuries, and less anti-social behaviour in communities.

It follows the introduction in 2009 of legislation aimed at combating boy racer behaviour.

Illegal street racing offences dropped from 2,737 in 2009 to 1,380 in 2013. During the same period, road deaths for 15-24 year olds have fallen from 105 to 66.

Police Minister Anne Tolley says there has been a 155 per cent increase in foot patrols over the last two years, with officers using technology and enhanced intelligence-gathering to reduce crime even further.

Police foot patrols increased from 40,918 in 2011 to 104,321 in 2013, while recorded crimes have dropped by 17.4 per cent over the last three fiscal years.

“Our Police are getting great results, and are completely focused on making our communities even safer,” says Mrs Tolley.

Police Minister Anne Tolley says she is appalled that Labour is trying to score cheap political points following last week’s tragic events in Dunedin.

“Labour has made wholly inaccurate and false claims around the pursuit and prosecution of cases,” says Mrs Tolley.

“I am disgusted that they would stoop so low, and try to use this terrible tragedy for political ends.

“Police twice arrested the offender responsible for this shocking crime.

Police Minister Anne Tolley and Labour Minister Simon Bridges today announced the approval of the Underground Mines Emergency Protocol, developed in response to a recommendation by the Royal Commission on the Pike River Coal Mine Tragedy. 

The protocol provides high level guidance on managing a major underground mine or tunnel emergency.  It sets out the persons and agencies responsible for responding, their key functions, duties, and roles, and the lines of authority for decision making and communication.

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee and Police Minister Anne Tolley have launched this summer’s road safety campaign, which will focus on preventing deaths and injuries by reducing speed, alongside greater visibility of Police.

For the first time, the reduced speed tolerance is being extended beyond an official holiday period.

A 4km/h speed threshold will be enforced by Police throughout the whole of December and January.

“We want New Zealanders to enjoy their holidays, and to be around to celebrate many more in the years ahead,” Mrs Tolley says.

Police Minister Anne Tolley says proposed changes to taxation allowances will mean that Police officers will not be unfairly penalised.

Around 2,100 Police staff would have been liable for additional tax on their plain clothes allowance.

However, the Minister of Revenue has announced there will be changes to the Income Tax Act which will ensure that these officers don’t have to pay any extra for work-related clothing.

“I welcome the decision to change the Act,” says Mrs Tolley.