Call to arm officers by NZ police union

WELLINGTON: The Police Association is renewing calls for officers to be routinely armed after two gunmen shot at an officer in Northland on Tuesday.

The officer was uninjured but her car’s windscreen was damaged.

Police believe a kidnapping and a car set alight in the area could be linked to the incident.

The association said the police community supported routine arming of officers and it wanted that policy reviewed.

It said the shooting was a reminder of the huge number of firearms in criminals’ hands.

Police Association vicepresident Mike McRandle told RNZ the impact of such incidents was farreaching within the police.

‘‘The wider police family are doing their best to help look after her [the officer], including all of our members. The ripple effect when you drop a stone in a pond goes wide.

‘‘I was really thankful nobody was hurt. That is our biggest concern at the moment. That June tragedy is still really live and very clear in our minds.

‘‘However, we’ve had increasing incidents like this . . . and it is really concerning to our members the serious criminal element in our society is prepared to use firearms against police.’’

Mr McRandle said in the past six surveys of members, from 2008 onwards, support for arming had increased, 66% of all police members having that view last year.

He said surveys showed more support among the public for armed police, 55% being in favour in 2017, rising to 61% last year.

Asked whether having a gun in this latest incident would have helped, McRandle said he could not comment on it, because ‘‘that’s an operational matter for police’’. — RNZ