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 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.

Police Commissioner Mike Bush.

“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 recommendations. These will provide a check to ensure Police is operating at best practice, as well as give assurance to our communities.”

Firearm buy-back events

The need to ensure high levels of public safety is the focus of plans revealed on 04 July for the first firearms collections during the buy-back and amnesty. Police publicly demonstrated how a community collection of firearms will work in practice, during an exercise at Trentham racecourse in the Hutt Valley.

Police Minister Stuart Nash has announced 192 events will be held during the first three months, from tiny community halls to our largest sports stadium. Further events will be added. The first collection event took place on 13 July at Riccarton Racecourse in Christchurch.

Police Minister Stuart Nash.

Deputy police commissioner Mike Clement said police’s preference was for gun owners to attend collection events, as opposed to delivering their weapons to a police station.

“These collection events are at community sites that will be familiar to locals. Police want to make it as easy as possible for firearms owners to take part,” Mr Nash said.

The minister was confident that Police were doing everything to ensure the collection of unlawful weapons, parts and ammunition would run securely and efficiently.

“Police have spent months planning the best way to safely collect, secure and dispose of prohibited firearms and parts,” said Mr Nash. “This is a huge logistical exercise which has never been attempted before in New Zealand.”

“More than 840 firearms have now been handed in to Police. Owners have declared their intention to surrender almost 8,000 further firearms, via online forms. Around 3000 of these weapons are not for compensation but are being surrendered as part of the amnesty.” “In addition, more than 1,300 unlawful firearms have been seized by Police during enforcement operations since March. Many of these weapons are from gangs and offenders without firearms licences.

Reports from provincial towns such as Blenheim, Ashburton, Te Awamutu and larger centres like Christchurch indicate the process for collecting firearms is reasonably well understood, with many weapons already handed in. Groups such as Federated Farmers, Rural Women, the Deerstalkers Association and dealer networks, have been raising awareness.

“Police want to make it as safe and straightforward as possible for firearms owners to take part, continued the minister. “They also want to prioritise safety for the frontline officers and others involved in the process.”

Firearms owners are encouraged to prepare beforehand to ensure it goes smoothly. This includes completing an online form on the police website prior to attending an event. They should then turn up with their reference number, bank account details, firearms licence and photo id. The firearm and any parts should be cleared of ammunition and in a safe carry bag.

“Where appropriate, firearms will be disabled soon after collection and then transported for secure destruction. Police have purchased hydraulic presses designed and built by a fifthgeneration family engineering business in Christchurch to assist with this work,” said Mr Nash.