IR-01-24-30805
13 September 2024
Raymond Dahunter
[FYI request #28273 email]
Dear Raymond
I refer to your Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) request received on 1 September 2024,
in which you requested:
Could you please provide the fol owing information regarding the use of Radar
Detector Detectors (RDDs) by the New Zealand Police:
1. Are RDDs currently used by the New Zealand Police?
2. If yes, under what circumstances and in which regions are RDDs typically
deployed?
3. What are the specific make and model of the RDDs in use?
4. What are the operating frequency ranges and detection capabilities of these
devices?
5. How are these devices calibrated and tuned to ensure accurate detection?
6. What is the effective detection range in both ideal and typical real-world
conditions?
7. Could you provide information on the detection accuracy and reliability of these
RDDs, including any known error rates or false positives?
8. Are there environmental factors (such as weather, terrain, or traffic density) that
significantly impact their performance?
9. Are there any internal or public reports or studies that evaluate the effectiveness
of RDDs in traffic enforcement?
10. Is there any data available on the cost-to-effectiveness ratio of using RDDs in
traffic enforcement?
11. What legal guidelines or policies govern the use of RDDs by the New Zealand
Police?
12. Have there been any recent updates to these laws?
13. Are there plans to upgrade or change the RDD technology currently used?
14. Is the New Zealand Police considering any new technologies for detecting radar
detectors?
15. How is the public informed about the use of RDDs and the legalities surrounding
radar detectors?
Police National Headquarters 180 Molesworth Street. PO Box 3017, Wellington 6140, New Zealand.
Telephone: 04 474 9499. Fax: 04 498 7400. www.police.govt.nz
16. Have there been any public awareness campaigns regarding this?
17. What is the cost of purchasing the make and models of RDDs currently in use by
the New Zealand Police?
18. How many RDD units have been purchased so far, and what is the total
expenditure to date, including al associated costs such as maintenance and
calibration?
New Zealand Police does not use, nor has it considered the use of, radar detector
detectors. Your request is therefore refused under section 18(g) of the OIA because the
information requested is not held by Police.
If you are not satisfied with the way I have responded to your request, you have the right
to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman. Information about how to make
a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
Yours sincerely
Superintendent Steve Greal y
Director: Road Policing
New Zealand Police
