Kiwis do not seem to give their police officers any respect. No wonder there is a police shortage--who wants to risk their life to protect a community when they get verbally abused every day? And they don't even carry guns (the NZ public is also opposed to giving them stun guns or pepper spray). How are they supposed to stop criminals or protect the public? No wonder there are so many random acts of violence in New Zealand. It is really sad that such a beautiful country has allowed it's citizens to become so disrespectful.
2007-03-07 16:23:52 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ Australia ➔ Other - Australia
I did not mean to imply that the NZ police officers are corrupt. I do not believe that to be the case at all! I live in NZ, and I am actually on their side. I'm really most concerned with the everyday treatment of the officers by the public. There just seems to be a common disrespect for their authority--which I think should be automatically given to them because of their position (not earned). Yes, they can lose the public trust through misbehaviour. But, they should be given respect unless they do something to lose it.
NZ aren't murderers? lol...I guess the news reports have been lying to me.
2007-03-09 09:12:25 · update #1
I have lived in other countries where the public respects the authority of law enforcement officials. You would NEVER yell at or argue with an officer. If you have a problem, you handle it through the proper channels. You don't yell at the officer on the street or argue with the officer giving you a traffic violation. The fact that police officers have been on the news recently talking about how they are verbally abused on a daily basis gives me real concern for the future of NZ.
2007-03-09 09:18:33 · update #2
Unfortunately there are the odd police officers that act in inappropriate ways, just like in all countries. Some people tend to focus on these few bad eggs and judge all the police officers as being corrupt. I'm sure this happens in many countries, not just New Zealand? The media here really seems to love reporting on any cop that messes up. That just adds to the problem. You don't often hear about the police officers that work hard and do great things everyday.
Do you honestly think this is only a problem in NZ and not other places? If so, I wonder what other western countries do to lessen it. And how do we do the same here.
2007-03-07 17:13:21 · answer #1 · answered by HotGurrlz 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Agreed with the guy above. I'm originally from NZ and they're probably one of the least corrupt police forces in the world. I'd say there is a certain level of respect since they can enforce the law WITHOUT the use of firearms. There is a worldwide lack of respect for authority figures, it can't just be aimed at NZ alone. I think times have changed a little as well and officers in NZ carry pepper spray now.
2007-03-08 06:46:01 · answer #2 · answered by find_dc 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Im a kiwi and i respect police officers,you shouldnt assume the whole of NZ doesnt respect the law,and going by statistics Australia and America are worse off then NZ.
No our officers dont carry guns as kiwis are not murderers,we do however carry stun guns that have the same effect as a bullet but wont put a whole in you or kill you,if needed the armed forces are called in but that rarely happens. I was referring to the NZ officers not being murderers
2007-03-08 14:11:08 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yeah big generalisation you've made there, what makes you come to this conclusion? also I agree with the majority of replies, comparing to other countries our police force are held in very high regard and their presence while maybe low on the streets and we do need more, are on a whole efficient and yes I believe our police are one of the less-corrupt in the world, they are alot more transparent and open than many others.
2007-03-08 20:58:49 · answer #4 · answered by clairekell 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you actually asked the population of NZ their opinion? You make a very big generalisation. However, respect is earned, not something of right. Perhaps the police need to look at some internal issues?
2007-03-07 19:52:01 · answer #5 · answered by Ranjeeh D 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I think your generalisation is so broad that no meaningful answer can be given; except to say that NZ probably has one of the least corrupt Police force of any country, and NZers respect their Police for that reason.
2007-03-07 21:05:08 · answer #6 · answered by Driver T 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Mate...it's Aussies that disrespect the authorities and guess what...we're proud of it!
2007-03-07 19:27:26 · answer #7 · answered by ~ B_e_K_z ~ 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋