8 November 2021
Ref: IR-01-21-27538
Ms Amy S Van Wey Lovatt
[FYI request #16700 email]
Dear Amy
On the 10 September 2021 you sent an email request under the Official
Information Act 1982 (OIA) for specific information relating to complaints to
Police.
An extension to 29 October 2021 was notified to you due to the amount of data
that was required to be reviewed.
My response to each part of your request can be found below.
(1) The number of calls, written submission, or complaints in person have
the NZ Police received in each of the last 5 years.
Police do not collate complaints in a way that we would be able to identify
whether the complainant wrote, called or came in person to lay the complaint.
It would require substantial resource and time to open every complaint to enable
Police to provide this response. Therefore I must refuse this part of your request
under section 18(f) of the OIA, as the information nrequested cannot be made
available without substantial collation or research.
(2) The number of calls, written submissions or complaints in person
which the NZ Police have refused the complainant a police case number,
for each of the last 5 years.
Police does not record this type of information, therefore this part of your request
is refused under section 18(g) of the OIA, as the information requested is not
held.
(3) For each of the last 5 years, the number of calls, written submission,
or complaints in person in which the NZ Police have responded to say
they have reviewed the evidence and could not determine the name of the
offender (or words to that effect), when either the name of the offender or
a photo or address is given and is in the case file.
(4) For each of the last 5 years, the number of calls, written submission,
or complaints in person in which the NZ Police have responded that the
matter was not in the jurisdiction of the NZ Police even when the act was
an offence under either the Crimes Act or the Summary Offence Act.
(5) For each of the last 5 years, the number of individuals that NZ Police
have linked to offences in which there was no warning, no arrest made,
no charges brought and no opportunity to exercise their rights to natural
justice. (I know of at least one: Case #190830/2289).
(6) For each of the last 5 years, the number of individuals the NZ Police
have detained, arrested, and searched, without giving the reason before
the fact. (I know of at least 4 incidents, not counting those that went to the
courts.)
(7) For each of the last 5 years, the number of individual the NZ Police
have brought before the District Court and withdrew the case, and the top
3 reasons for it.
(8) For each of the last 5 years, the number of individuals the NZ Police
have arrested and charged, and have offered community service if the
person plead guilty. Please separate by gender and age groups of 10
years.
(9) For each of the last 5 years, the number of individuals the NZ Police
have detained, arrested or charged, and were not provided legal council
before being released or before the first date of court appearance.
This part of your request is refused pursuant to section 18(f) of the OIA as the
information cannot be made available without substantial collation and research.
Once again, I apologise for the delay in responding to your request.
You have the right, under section 28(3) of the OIA, to ask the Ombudsman to
review my decision if you are not satisfied with the way I have responded to your
request.
Yours sincerely
Superintendent Jason Guthrie
Director: Integrity and Conduct
Police National Headquarters
