Thread: New week, new 'Ultra Vires' Police Action

I received this after my email to them a couple months ago, just thought I'd share it

Subject: Disappointed

Dear Mrs Bennett

I am disappointed

I am disappointed like the majority of legal law abiding firearm owners in this country are.

We are have been ridiculed, attacked, mislead, lied to and let down multiple times over the last year all at the hands of both the politicians and the NZ Police department both established to uphold and enforce the laws of our country as well as listen to and serve the people of this country.

I am not going to go on about how our legal system works, as I am no expert but even I understand the reason for its design, the reason those enforcing the laws do not have the power to make law or interpret the law, that it, was designed to protect society from injustice at the hands of those in power.

My question to you minister is why? when the Police department of this country decide to do exactly that are they not held accountable?

Why the public face of this department can lie on television, radio and in the press and continue to do so even though it contradicts the very values the department stands for (Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Empathy and Valuing Diversity)

Why is it when the police use a significant sum of tax payer money to publish a "guide" that contradicts the very laws in place, the people making these changes get off without repercussions?

Why are the Police allowed to blatantly lie to the public that their stance on the arms code remains unchanged, yet tell importers the complete opposite once again contradicting the very values they stand by?

Why are the people at the head of this department allowed to completely disregard the legal system and laws we have in place and not be held accountable?

As I can understand the majority of our fine officers do uphold the laws they have been entrusted to protect and I have the utmost respect for these men and woman (and animals) even once wanting to join the ranks. However due to the actions of some at NZPHQ, the police are fast losing all trust and respect they hold within the firearms community, as I, like many others you have no doubt heard from, are sick and tired of being targeted by unjustified and 'ultra vires' actions

With NZPHQ and the current governments inaction to hold those in charge accountable for these oversteps and establish a clear line in the sand they are making it clear that they have their agenda and will not listen to the people they have been chosen to serve and as election day is fast approaching, it will be interesting to see if they still have the power to establish that line come the following day.

Thank you for your time

The Reply

I am writing on behalf of Hon Paula Bennett, Minister of Police, who has asked me to acknowledge your email of 19th July concerning the Police administration of the Arms Act.

Please accept my apologies for a late response.

With regards to the Arms Code the Minister has asked me to pass on that quite a few members of the firearms community have drawn to her attention the appearance of a 2017 Arms Code on the Police website, and also in print.

Members of the firearms community had correctly noted errors in this document. Police have advised they are aware that it contains a number of mistakes and have assured the Minister that it has been removed from the Police’s website and hard copies recalled. Most importantly, as Police start afresh with the process of reviewing the Arms Code, they have given the Minister an undertaking that they will openly and transparently work with stakeholder groups in the firearms community and that any changes will be thoroughly consulted with the sector.

Your correspondence has been noted. If I can answer any direct or specific concerns you have, please let me know.

Thank you for taking the time to write to the Minister of Police.

Yours sincerely,

Jeff Penno

Am thinking on what to ask in my reply.

I am thinking you could ask for answers to the questions you actually asked. You asked 5 questions and the answered the third one which in my mind is not the most important one.....

They always appear to dodge the hard questions...

Originally Posted by Sasquatch

They always appear to dodge the hard questions...

Its the first thing they learn in politics 101

A well written letter.
I would be replying and thanking for the response given to one of your questions and you await the response to the other questions tat you put forward in your first letter.