Pubdate: Sat, 31 May 2003
Source: Otago Daily Times (New Zealand)
Copyright: Allied Press Limited, 2003
Contact:  http://www2.odt.co.nz
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/925
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

POLICE SEEK ARMOUR TO PROTECT AGAINST ATTACKS

Criminals Using Speed A Threat To Officers

AUCKLAND (NZPA) -- Police dealing with increasingly irrational criminals 
using methamphetamine have asked for lightweight, concealed body armour to 
protect themselves.

Sergeant Colin Howard, from the Auckland police dog section, said yesterday 
criminals under the influence of methamphetamine, also known as speed or P, 
were often out of control and irrational.

He said they could not be reasoned with and were prone to use any weapons 
handy to attack police.

He said some dog handlers had asked for lightweight body armour for 
protection, to be worn under their uniforms all the time, but nothing had 
happened.

"It is a major problem with P.

"The handlers are getting a bit annoyed. They [criminals on the drug] are 
very violent. They can't be reasoned with. The dog handlers are at the very 
sharp of the sharp end and they are having to deal with them," Mr Howard said.

He said many of the high speed pursuits were of drivers using P.

"That is why they are not stopping. They don't care about the 
circumstances. When they do get them they are just fighting and fighting."

He said the body armour was needed to protect police not so much from 
firearms but from other weapons such as screwdrivers and knives.

"We are looking basically at stabbing objects" Mr Howard said.

Two years ago, police studied the body armour issued to the special tactics 
group and the armed offenders squad.

A spokeswoman from police national headquarters said all police issued with 
firearms, including the uniformed branch, were instructed to take body armour.

She said about 1100 sets of body armour were available throughout the country.

In March 2001, the parents of a policeman stabbed in the stomach during a 
domestic dispute paid some of the cost for body armour their son could wear 
all the time under his shirt.

They told Prime Minister Helen Clark in an open letter the cost of the 
armour was a tax on the family which should be met by the Government if a 
public servant was put in danger because of their job.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jackl