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Police reject calls for guns after attack

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Police reject calls for guns after attack

3News NZ

Police were reviewing the incident (file pic)

Police were reviewing the incident (file pic)

The country's top cop is rejecting calls for wider arming of police after a mob attack on a Waikato officer.

Sole-charge officer Constable Perry Griffen was assaulted by at least five men while arresting a Kawhia 19-year-old in relation to warrants at the wharf in the Waikato town about 6pm on Friday, police say.

The officer used pepper spray and a Taser, but was hit from behind, knocked to the ground and repeatedly kicked by a group of around five people.

He had been carrying a pistol, which was dislodged in the attack, while his radio was taken and his taser was thrown into the water.

The attack has prompted renewed calls from the Police Association for routine arming of police.

But Police Commissioner Peter Marshall disagrees, calling for "cool heads and calm minds".

"This is not a time for political point-scoring exercises," he said.

Ensuring officers were safe on the job was a top priority, but using a firearm as the primary weapon was "not the tactic of choice" for police, Mr Marshall said.

"The use of a firearm as the primary weapon in the Kawhia incident was not appropriate and this was supported by the Kawhia officer and his supervisors."

Police were reviewing the incident to determine whether things could have been done differently.

Meanwhile, Mr Marshall said Const Griffen, who is recovering from serious bruising and grazes at home, is keen to return to work as soon as possible.

A 19-year-old man, his 49-year-old father and a 21-year-old man have been arrested over the attack, and appeared in Hamilton District Court on Saturday facing assault charges.

Police are also asking for the public's help to find a fourth man believed to have been involved.

The man was wearing a blue top or shirt, and was seen running across the road to the wharf and knocking the Const Griffen to the ground early in the attack.

NZN

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Comments

20/01/2013 8:58:59 p.m.

Iman Olive wrote:

KATHY. From your comments I take it you do not approve of Olympic or other target / skeet shooting or any gun involved skill competitions? Or farmers having guns to eradicate destructive farm pests, or historic war derived competitions such as archery, shot-put (a derivative of cannon ball throwing), or jousting, or javelin throwing etc. If you don't approve of these activities, what gives you the right to deny others the enjoyment of them and call them 'idiots' in the process?

19/01/2013 1:03:19 a.m.

Kathy wrote:

Look at the pro gun idiots. There is no sensible reason for them other than to defend yourself in a war. We are not in a war, and there have been many supposedly sane hunters that have accidentally killed people while they were in the bush. As I said, only idiots use guns... that my friends is a reality. everyone proclaims themselves to be responsible, but how responsible is anyone that thinks guns are "fun".

18/01/2013 6:23:16 p.m.

Nelson wrote:

You only have to look at Melbourne's "Walsh St murders" that guns do not protect police, one of the officers was apparently shot dead with his own revolver. So far no New Zealand police officer has been shot dead with their own handgun, which is a good thing. Look at the number of drive-by shootings and gang violence so far in Sydney which has an armed police force and compare that with Auckland which has an unarmed police force.

16/01/2013 7:22:48 p.m.

grayson wrote:

yet again kathy i see you spewing ignorance around the place guns are not for idiots many people enjoy using them in sportive ways i for one am one of these people we are people that OBIDE by the law and have no reason to be punished for this what you request is a nanny state if you like this idea go to AUSTRLIA guns are almost non existant there but knife crime went through the roof when guns were restricted

15/01/2013 11:40:36 a.m.

Shane wrote:

@KATHY, some guns, very few are used by idiots, 99% of people who own them are responsible and quite intelligent people. Mabey go to your local rifle range or pistol club and meet some of the people you label.

15/01/2013 11:22:57 a.m.

Ben wrote:

@Shane. When you're the only cop in town where exactly do you call for back up? How many police or civilians must die before the head honchos who supposedly represent the cop on the beat realise we are no longer in the 1950's and gun carrying is now the norm. If I, as a civilian, was being attacked by a bunch of hoons I would feel much safer if the cop who came to my rescue was armed and trained in its use instead of having to try and find backup and then fill out the necessary forms to arm themselves.

14/01/2013 11:01:29 p.m.

pondering wrote:

If i was a cop... I would rather take a couple of smacks in the head than be shot with a gun that was taken off me. I would not want to shoot people or have anyone else shot with a weapon that I had been carrying.

14/01/2013 8:34:20 p.m.

shiree wrote:

sooooo Peter Marshall Commissioner of Police states this morning that it is often impractical to have more than one police officer in small towns - omg - I wonder if he would be saying the same thing if it was one of his loved ones that was attacked - would he police a town on his own? would the politicians, would any of us? this country is way too pc, we live in a violent society and we expect our police to look after us with nothing ...... and is it impractical if that police officer was killed!!!!! come on guys something has to be done!!!!!!!!!!!!!

14/01/2013 6:33:13 p.m.

Kathy wrote:

Its great to see that the police commissioner isnt jumping on the gun bandwagon. Guns are for idiots, outlaw them all we have seen massacre after massacre from idiots that are allowed to have guns, not just in the U.S but even here in New Zealand.

14/01/2013 6:15:49 p.m.

Robert Nelson wrote:

The police do a very difficult job.This police officer deserves a medal. Keep up the good work.