CHRISTCHURCH
Gun buy-back puts Police firearm security under spotlight Thefts of guns from police stations have raised big question marks over Police’s firearm security ahead of their collection of thousands of weapons as part of the firearm buy-back. So, what’s been done to restore public confidence? Media outlets have placed New Zealand Police’s firearms security under intense scrutiny since eleven firearms were stolen from the Palmerston North police station on Anzac Day morning. According to Police, a person entered the station via an open door, forced their way into a room where the weapons were sitting in the open, and took off with the guns. Eight of the guns were quickly recovered, yet a clerical error led to police thinking two guns had been stolen from the station on Anzac Day when they had actually been returned a week before the embarrassing burglary. One firearm remains unaccounted for. According to figures released under the Official Information Act, ten firearms that police were responsible
Police Commissioner Mike Bush
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for were lost or stolen from around the country between 2005 and 2017, and two Tasers have also been stolen since 2011. Firearms security audit As a result of the Anzac Day theft – and in a bid to reassure the public ahead of the police collecting firearms as part of the gun buy-back – Police Commissioner Mike Bush ordered an immediate nationwide audit looking at the security of firearms at police stations. The national audit, released by Police on 09 July, has found that the majority of Police sites have robust security and storage for firearms in their custody, but improvements are required in some areas. “The burglary of the Palmerston North Police station in April was a very disappointing incident for Police. But it led to the audit which now gives us certainty, and a plan for ongoing improvement,” said Deputy Commissioner Districts, John Tims. “This audit has enabled us to gain a picture of how the reality of daily operations match the policy requirements of firearms security infrastructure, processes, and systems, as well as storage at stations. “What we found is a good but variable picture. We found our staff have a high level of knowledge. However, in some instances the levels of physical storage or security varied. “There are some places where upgrades or improvements are needed, and those are being undertaken as a matter of priority. This includes actions such as improving secure locations within premises, upgrading alarms, and installing CCTV systems. “Where sites required immediate
attention, work is underway and in many cases already complete. Where it is not yet complete, mitigations are in place.” “We know some stations aren’t set up for large storage. That is why we looked at the storage capacity of our stations as part of the planning for the current firearms amnesty and buy-back,” he continued. “we have locations where it’s not practical to store hundreds of firearms. But we also have places that have more capacity and are more suitable. The audit and improvements we’re making support the work of the firearms amnesty and buy-back.” Police has been working on a new exhibit management system which is separate to the audit and will see a technology solution develop so that all exhibits, including firearms, are managed centrally. “The national audit resulted in a mix of short term and longer term
Police Minister Stuart Nash
August / September 2019
