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Gangs trying to infiltrate police - O'Connor

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Warning about gang infiltration in police

3News NZ

Police say they need more funds to stop gangs infiltrating the force

Police say they need more funds to stop gangs infiltrating the force

Police concerns that gang members are trying to infiltrate the force must be taken seriously by the Government, Labour says.

The party's police spokesman, Kris Faafoi, says the situation is unprecedented and ministers must heed the call for more funding so checks on recruits can be maintained.

Police Association president Greg O'Connor raised the alarm at the association's annual conference in Wellington on Wednesday.

He said "dozens of people" with criminal backgrounds attempting to join the force had been identified in background checks.

But with no new Government funding police might not be able to maintain those checks, he said.

"Under a funding freeze, every part of police is under pressure and that includes recruiting," Mr O'Connor said.

Mr Faafoi says the Government must listen.

"Funding constraints may mean gang members trying to infiltrate the force go unnoticed - this is something new," he said.

"Budget cuts and staff cuts are leaving our police more vulnerable."

Police Minister Anne Tolley, who aLso addressed the conference and praised police for cutting crime rates, warned they would have to do even better without any more money in the near future.

Canterbury University professor of sociology Greg Newbold is not convinced a large number of gang members could get into the police:

"It's not beyond the realms of possibility that a gang member might try to get into the police in order to access their intelligence systems, but for considerable numbers of gang members trying to do that is beyond belief."

Prof Newbold says he would like to see the evidence Mr O'Connor is basing his claims on.

NZN / RadioLIVE

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Comments

24/04/2013 1:41:07 p.m.

al wrote:

i know for a fact that gangs have access to police intelligence, databases, court records, even in at least one case i know of access to curent court information, such as search warrants, they know within mins of a search warrent being issued, doesn't give the police much chance if the crims know in advance

18/10/2012 11:34:26 p.m.

Law Abider wrote:

Good on you Jan. Keep chasing the Ambulance..it is actually an Ice Cream Truck..

18/10/2012 8:24:57 p.m.

Judynz wrote:

OOPS more money needed to spend on computers soon...but what computers. Are manufacturers not held responsible for DUD goods these days.

18/10/2012 6:49:02 p.m.

bukster wrote:

This is just scare mongering rubbish. As if a gang associate could get through even the most basic of background checks.

18/10/2012 6:45:27 p.m.

jan.. wrote:

The Gangs want to changed their life around' that we cannot afford to say no' or turn them away' they will be putting their life in danger to help the police track down the drug mafias and to stop all other crimes before it happen and track down the terrorist that are still at large. We are only human and can only changed for the best and with the Government failures and corruptions acts that are no longer have our confidents or trust on anythything they have to offer or say. Goodluck to these gang members that are willing to help the Police Force and its people, we offer them our fully confidents and trust rather then trust the strangers from the outside.

18/10/2012 4:31:25 p.m.

Antony wrote:

no more money means no new recruits. Problem solved.

18/10/2012 1:35:24 p.m.

Paora wrote:

Although it may seem odd, I actually agree with 'JAN' for once. O'Conner is one of the biggest 'con' artists around with a blatant one-eyed opinion that cops can do no wrong. When evidence clearly proves the opposite conclusively. It is long overdue for an independent authority to be set up to look into complaints about police rather than have them investigate themselves.

18/10/2012 11:55:20 a.m.

jan wrote:

Swapping one gang insignia for another. Utter BS, about lack of staff will let people with criminal records into the police. Practically everything is digital/computerised so any new recruits would of been at school, got a ID there, 18 plus card, passport, car, drivers licence, have parents/siblings all these oh yeah being born, have trails. Greg O' Connor is always on the negative. Hell you have to have proof of who you are to get a flat or a bank account. Its not that hard for the admin staff to check nor is it expensive. Moan moan moan, Greg O'Connor. Just because you don't have a criminal record doesn't mean you aren't a crook, just means you haven't been caught yet.

18/10/2012 11:30:21 a.m.

the reason wrote:

the reason is obvious because Labour believe in over-funding and over paying government services this is a ploy to make people think that National reducing funding is a problem along with Dotcom Winz Spy Agencies and so on. These departments need to work properly within well-defined budgets just like we all do and this country is in so much debt and having to consider selling part of its assets because of over-funding I personally would like to see opposition parties coming up with some ideas for the future not this constant whining

18/10/2012 10:15:38 a.m.

iron side wrote:

The police often brag that they are the biggest gang in NZ. Would it not be easier and cheaper for gangs to continue their pattern of easy access to confidential information from officers by the usual means of prostitution, drug supply, bribery and blackmail.