Mitchell gets meeting with commissioner

WELLINGTON: Police Minister Poto Williams has given National’s Mark Mitchell a Budget week olive branch by giving him permission to meet Police Commissioner Andrew Coster.

Mr Mitchell said yesterday that Mr Coster had also agreed to a meeting and he expected it to take place in about three weeks.

Ms Williams had withheld her approval for Mr Mitchell to meet Mr Coster and police district commanders after Mr Mitchell asked earlier in the year, saying at the time police were too ‘‘busy’’.

The request was granted after a further approach by Mr Mitchell.

Mr Mitchell, a former police officer, has been openly critical of Mr Coster’s ‘‘policing by consent’’ approach and measures such as changes to the police pursuits policy.

He has said it effectively sent a signal to criminals and gang members that they will get away with their crimes and called on the Government to put in place harder line sentencing to try to address gang violence.

Ms Williams relented after ongoing skirmishes between the two about her handling of the police portfolio.

Last week, Ms Williams announced a $562 million Budget package for police, including to recruit more officers and boost training to ensure more were trained to deal with firearms incidents. —