By Laura Frykberg
Police say without a Bill that will legalise their ability to use spy cameras on private property, not only are serious investigations jeopardised, but also public safety.
The Video Camera Surveillance (Temporary Measures) Bill passed its first reading last night and today police were questioned by a Select Committee to explain the consequences if the Bill doesn’t become law.
The rushed legislation has been criticised as a dangerous quick-fix, after the Supreme Court ruled video evidence collected in the so-called terror raids was illegal.
But tonight police argued that ruling also affects 47 ongoing cases, involving 229 accused.
“Those investigations include allegations of drug dealing, manufacturing, robbery, kidnapping, drug importation, money laundering and other serious offending,” says Police Commissioner Peter Marshall.
Police didn’t think they were breaking the law before the Supreme Court decision and hidden cameras provide good evidence in court, Mr Marshall says.
But ACT MP Rodney Hide was astonished police hadn’t previously clarified what they were doing was legal.
“I’m just amazed with your resources you weren’t knocking on the door of the Minister of the Attorney General and saying, ‘Give us the tools’ – did you ever do that?” he asked.
“Not to my knowledge,” said Mr Marshall.
Police say covert filming is common in other countries and if it is not allowed here, there could be safety concerns for the public.
“Without the ability to employ these tactics, the offenders of these top end crimes may not be brought to justice and that is most definitely a public safety consideration,” says Deputy Police Commissioner Mike Bush.
Mr Hide’s scepticism is mild compared with the Greens, Mana and the Maori Party, who all think it gives police too much spy power.
But whether the police have helped push the Bill closer to becoming law won’t be known until the committee reports to Parliament on Monday.
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