Police ready to escalate enforcement

Police officers now have the power to enter homes to enforce self-isolation rules.

Yesterday they had to pull over people who were breaking the self-isolation order – apparently unaware a four-week lockdown was in place.

Police Commissioner Mike Bush yesterday reiterated that the public would initially see the ‘‘friendly face’’ of police during the lockdown.

‘‘But we’ll be ensuring people will comply because if they don’t, people will die,’’ Bush said on RNZ.

Police had already had to educate people on self-isolation, and the informative approach would continue unless there was intentional flouting of the rules.

Police officers would first issue a warning, then make arrests if needed. Bush said police would prosecute only serious offenders, but those arrested will be ‘‘having a little trip to our place’’ – meaning they will be detained.

‘‘The public want that, they want people to comply because they’re really worried.’’

He said it would be wise for workers in essential services to carry workplace identity cards, or letters from employers, as proof.

A nationwide state of emergency was declared on Wednesday, giving police wide-ranging powers. Under the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act, they can enter any premises under the belief it would save lives or prevent injury.

‘‘If we suspect there are gatherings inside places, we’re enabled to go in there. We’ll do everything we can to make sure people comply,’’ Bush said.

Police would be monitoring activity around the country, and would ‘‘deploy’’ to areas that showed increased activity. There were several hundred soldiers ready to assist police with foot patrols, if required.

While roadblocks were not in place and were not planned, Bush said such a measure could be used if there were areas in which many people did not comply. People could expect to be pulled over and questioned, however.

Bush said there ‘‘could be’’ an increase in dishonesty crime, like theft, and there would definitely be an increase in domestic violence – ‘‘we’ll be deploying into that with urgency’’.