POLICE CANNABIS RESPONSE BASED ON RESOURCES

CAN someone please explain to me why if you are caught drinking alcohol in
Dunedin's liquor ban area you will probably be fined and/or convicted. Yet
it is apparently deemed okay to smoke cannabis, which is an illegal
substance, in the same area without any retribution from the council or
police. Is this normal police or council practice?

Michael McCarrigan

Caversham

WE read with some amusement that the police decided to ignore about 100
people breaking the law in the Octagon on May 1. We have always supported
the law and the police, but find it incredibly difficult to accept that
they have chosen to ignore this group of people, blatantly breaking the law.

Last year, a group of students in Queenstown decided to share a "joint" on
a quiet street. Unfortunately, for one of the students, the police were
driving by at this time. The result of this was that the student was
arrested, charged, appeared in court and now has a criminal record for
breaking the same law as did the people in the Octagon. The consequences of
this conviction are far reaching: restriction of entry to countries to
pursue sport, passport restrictions and many other long-term effects. These
students did not flaunt their choice of recreation as those did at the weekend.

As a law-abiding citizen, I am astounded at the double standards shown by
the police and the messages being sent to the community. Why should
approximately 100 protesters get away scot-free and one individual end up
with a criminal record.

Double Standards

Dunedin

[Name withheld by request.]

Inspector D.W.A. Boyd, Dunedin City, New Zealand Police, replies: "The
answer to this question is one of staff resources and how the police
allocate them to deal with problems. Some months ago, we identified a
serious violence problem in the central city that was clearly linked to
alcohol. We have rostered our staff to deal with that, and of course the
liquor ban enforcement is key to that approach. This means that at other
times we are less able to deal with other certain types of situations. Our
station supervisor, when confronted with this group seeking publicity for
their cause, was not in a position to take immediate enforcement action.
This happens from time to time. On this occasion, the senior officer for
the police on duty at that time chose to respond in a 'peace-keeping' role.
Given the circumstances at that time, I fully support this decision. The
law prohibits cannabis use. It is not for the police to enter into that
debate, no matter how hard some try to include us. We will continue to make
realistic decisions about police response based on our priorities,
resources and workload."]