9 Mar 2021

Police warned over rangatahi rights

From Lately, 10:17 pm on 9 March 2021

The Minister of Police Poto Williams is warning police they should be taking photos of the public only when it is within the bounds of the law. RNZ has revealed the Police are approaching young people, photographing them, and sending their details to a national police database. A police review of the practice is underway. Police in Wairarapa have admitted to illegally taking photos of youths after RNZ alerted them to multiple reports of officers stopping and photographing young Māori on the street.   Lawyer Kingi Snelgar represents youth offenders in Manukau.

A police officer out in the community. 6 July 2016.

Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly