POLICE SEEK INSTANT FINES

People caught possessing cannabis should be given an instant fine
instead of going directly to court, ministerial briefing papers from
the police propose.

The papers, released under the Official Information Act, show the
police want a high priority given to expanding the use of infringement
notices so that they encompass a broader range of minor crimes,
including possession of cannabis.

But new Police Minister George Hawkins is not approving the idea just
yet.

"I am fairly non-committal," he said yesterday.

"What I am prepared to do is look at it and canvass the public's
views. As far as marijuana is concerned I think there needs to be a
lot of debate. I don't want to give any comfort to people pushing marijuana."

An infringement notice is the equivalent of an instant fine such as a
speeding ticket that can be settled without going to court. It does
not appear on your record if, for instance, you attempt to travel overseas.

The Police Infringement Bureau processes over half a million
infringement notices a year but the police believe it could handle
more.

"There is scope for expanding the infringement notice procedure to
include other offences, such as possession of cannabis, minor disorder
and using obscene language," the briefing papers say.

Breaches of firearms licensing and registration laws could also be
dealt with by an infringement notice, the papers say.

Police believe the moves could save money and staff time because the
amount of work required would be less than that for prosecution of
even a relatively minor offence.

Legalise Cannabis Party leader Michael Appleby was delighted with the
police's proposal but "I'll believe it when it happens".