Page 2766 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 14 August 1991
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Speaker, that more police can be out on the beat, on the street, amongst the community where they should be. That is what community policing is all about; police out with the community, involved with the community, so that they know each other.
We must remember once again that the exercise of the power in the Act is also subject to considerable media scrutiny. In the case my colleague Mr Collaery spoke about, Capital Television conducted an in-depth and strong long-running investigation into that particular incident. However, like my colleague, I am also concerned to see that when complaints are made against police they are quickly and efficiently followed up. If that does not happen the community will lose its respect for the ability of the police to police themselves.
That is why, Mr Speaker, there is an internal investigations group within the police that has wide-ranging powers. You could almost argue that there are arbitrary powers within the police force whereby a policeman under investigation is required to answer the questions put to him by the investigating officer. We, Mr Speaker, have a right not to answer questions. A police officer under internal investigation has no such right; he must answer the questions. That is the difference. That is why I think it is very important for those powers to be continued and supported in relation to investigation of police activities. And let us be frank; these things are going to happen at times. No-one is perfect, and in a group there will always be one or two who, unfortunately, overstep the mark. Fair-thinking policemen and policewomen would, I suggest, be more than happy to see such investigations carried out rigorously by investigative groups.
However, I am concerned, Mr Speaker, like my colleague Mr Collaery, that a period of two years has elapsed in responding to a complaint. Frankly, that is not on. I trust that Mr Connolly will be taking that up directly to make sure that that matter is resolved. I will fully support him in any action that he takes in that area. As I have said, and I repeat it again, I believe that almost all of those good, solid, hard-working policemen and policewomen want that sort of action taken so that any slur or problem is taken off the police force as quickly as possible and so that they can then get on with their job.
I guess it is really up to the police, if they believe that the move-on power is needed, and clearly they do - I must admit that I tend to support them - if they believe that it will assist them in providing a safer community, to ensure that it is exercised with due diligence and care. That is why, Mr Speaker, I support the amendment circulated by my colleague Mr Collaery. I believe that it will keep the necessary pressure on the police to make sure that not only is justice being done but it is being seen to be done.
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