Police Commissioner Richard Chambers says a recent directive sent to staff about not investigating retail crime below certain thresholds was “confusing and unhelpful”.
A recent memo seen by RNZ directed police staff not to investigate general theft under $200, petrol drive off under $150, shoplifting under $500, online fraud under $1000, and all other fraud under $500.
“When assessing files with these offences, you will apply the relevant value threshold and file any file under that threshold regardless of any lines of enquiry or IFA score,” it read.
An IFA score is a numeric value that gives an indication of the solvability of the case.
Police later clarified it was not a firm rule and that investigations were triaged based on a combination of value and solvability.
‘Giving license to those who choose to break the law’
A recent directive was sent to staff about not investigating retail crime below certain thresholds. (Source: 1News)
Chambers told reporters this afternoon he learned of the memo sent out by a staffer for the first time on Monday night.
“They may have thought that they were being helpful, in fact that is not the case because it’s inconsistent with my expectations,” he said.
The Police Commissioner added that he was “disappointed that the memo spoke to things that are very inconsistent with my expectations when it comes to retail crime”.
He expressed concern the directive may have been misinterpreted by some as police “giving license to those who choose to break the law – that’s not the case”.
“My appeal is for the retail community and the public to continue to help us to ensure that we gather information to hold people to account. That hasn’t changed.”
Chambers said he met with several retail sector leaders in a pre-planned meeting this afternoon to discuss “what the opportunities are to work together in terms of addressing the problem of retail crime”.
“We know that retail crime has been increasing over recent years, but so too have the number of prosecutions that police have made.”
‘Does not meet my expectations’
In a release earlier today, Chambers said the wrong message had been sent to the retail community and the public about police’s approach to retail crime.
“I have made retail crime one of the priorities for the police executive and that means increasing the focus on it.
“The memo has been confusing and unhelpful and does not meet my expectations on retail crime or the expectations of the retail community.”
He said he had asked for a reminder to be issued to all district commanders that they should continue focusing on apprehending offenders wherever possible and upholding the law regardless of the thresholds set out in the memo.
“Our role is to enforce the law. If we were to take our focus off that, we are giving license to offenders to commit crime. That will not happen.
“Retail crime is increasing and we are working closely with the retail community to address it. I want them to have confidence that we will continue to do so.”
‘Wrong and not appropriate’ – Luxon
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said it was good to see Chambers clarify the meaning of the directive.
“It’s good to see that the police commissioner quickly correct the memo that went out that was wrong and not appropriate. We want our police helping New Zealanders, protecting and serving us and hunting down crime at all sorts of types.”
He also reiterated that National was a “party of law and order” and police were expected to tackle crime everywhere.
Police executive director for victims and resolutions Rachael Bambery said District Commanders would be reminded districts had discretion to investigate crimes, taking into account context and available resources.
“Early case closure is not final as new information and patterns often allow Police to revisit cases, for example where a small number of offenders can be linked to multiple offences.”
