Face of the Day

Two organisations Green MP Tamatha Paul says told her community beat police officers were throwing homeless people’s items away have now responded to her claims.

The Salvation Army initially told the Herald it was unclear who in an official capacity told Paul what she had claimed, but later said it was aware of a support worker who had spoken to the Green MP last year about police engagement with homeless people’s property.

Meanwhile, the DCM (Downtown Community Ministry) said it had “not made a formal complaint” to Paul about beat patrols discarding homeless people’s belongings and it had a “constructive and respectful” relationship with police.

Speaking to Newstalk ZB on Wednesday morning about community beat patrol officers, Paul said: “Some of the complaints that I have received is that beat patrol officers wait for people and homeless people to leave their spots, pack up their stuff and throw it in bins.”

“Now I have heard that from the Salvation Army and DCM. Those are two credible organisations that look after our street community,” she said.

The two organisations were approached for comment, asking if it [sic] had raised any concerns with Paul about police officers’ engagement with homeless people.

The Salvation Army initially said it was not aware of anyone in an official capacity making that statement to the MP.

“I am not sure who might have made this comment to MP Tamatha Paul, but it was not anyone in an official capacity with The Salvation Army as I am aware,” a spokesperson said.

“We do have a good relationship with the New Zealand Police, and we would raise any potential problems directly with them.”

NZ Herald