Radio NZ story buried - yet again

Another example of major cutbacks.

It is difficult to escape the conclusion that there is a attempt to ensure that certain stories never see the light of day, while escaping the accusation of 'censorship'

I heard this item on the radio once yesterday. It was never repeated and did not make it onto the Radio New Zealand website.

It is not, as far as I can see, in the print media and it took quite a search to find this item.

I will leave it up to you to make up your mind whether this story is trivial and of no interest to New Zealanders.

New police projects but no new money

Police have been praised for their work but told they will have to do better without any more money in the near future.

3News,

26 April, 2012

In a speech to the Police Association's annual conference in Wellington on Wednesday, Police Minister Anne Tolley noted falling crime rates and a record low road toll in 2011, despite no new money in the police budget.

She warned police will have to keep operating with tight purse-strings for some time yet, even as they roll out new technology and policy programmes, and establish new file management centres, criminal justice support units and investigation support units in each police district.

"Change can be difficult, and that is especially so when there is no extra money available, or on the near horizon," Mrs Tolley said.

While there will be challenges, she says police need to look at ways to "work smarter and better" and stay focused on "delivering the very best service we can for taxpayers".

That includes meeting new public service targets, such as crime-reduction goals and fewer court appearances for young people.

Mrs Tolley also emphasised the government's four economic priorities, including managing finances, boosting the economy and delivering better public services, to support her pitch to the Police Association, which has been critical of a lack of new funding and resources for officers.

More 111 calls exceed two-minute answer time

Radio NZ,

18 October, 2012

The number of 111 calls that could not be answered immediately by police has been steadily increasing throughout the year.

A major review of the service was sparked by problems identified after Auckland woman Iraena Asher disappeared at Piha in 2004, after having contacted emergency services.

Figures for this year through to August show a steady increase in the numbers of calls that were abandoned.

Calls not answered within two minutes are classed as abandoned and are manually retrieved by Telecom and put back at the front of the 111 queue.

In January 62,400 calls were answered and 88 abandoned.

In August, just over 55,206 calls were answered and 139 abandoned.

The Labour Party says budget cuts mean the police are now stretched, and it's worried the 111 service will continue to erode as a result.