[Greens-Media] Media release: More police powers not the answer

[David Shoebridge]

More police powers not the answer

Media Release

13 May 2014



New Attorney General Brad Hazzard and new Police Minister Stuart Ayres today announced a plan to further increase police powers, despite the new Police Minister and Attorney General having been in the job less than a month.



The Government's proposed amendments to LEPRA are likely to further strip protections under s201 of that Act which only requires that police must identify themselves and their station when exercising their powers under the act.



Greens MP and Police spokesperson David Shoebridge said:



"Police have long campaigned against the simple requirements under LEPRA to tell people their name, station and explain why they are arresting someone.



"The Police Minister has been in the job only a week, he hardly knows his way around the office let alone the complexities of the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act. This has all the hallmarks of the Police Association driving government policy.



"The idea that this basic safeguard is an unnecessary complexity is extremely worrying coming from the new Police Minister.



"Society grants police extraordinary powers over members of the community, however these must be accompanied by safeguards that prevent these powers being abused.



"It is deeply troubling that the first serious legislation from the new-look Attorney-General and Police Minister strips away more civil liberties in NSW," Mr Shoebridge said.



Media contact: David Shoebridge 9230 3030 or 0408 113 952





David Shoebridge

Greens MP in the NSW Legislative Council

P: (02) 9230 3030 T: @ShoebridgeMLC<http://twitter.com/#!/shoebridgemlc>

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