Top cop says retail crime memo 'confusing and unhelpful'

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers says a recent directive sent to staff about not investigating retail crime below certain thresholds was "confusing and unhelpful".

A recent memo seen by RNZ directed police staff not to investigate general theft under $200, petrol drive off under $150, shoplifting under $500, online fraud under $1000, and all other fraud under $500.

"When assessing files with these offences, you will apply the relevant value threshold and file any file under that threshold regardless of any lines of enquiry or IFA score," it read.

An IFA score is a numeric value that gives an indication of the solvability of the case.

Police later clarified it was not a firm rule and that investigations were triaged based on a combination of value and solvability.

In a release today, Chambers said the wrong message had been sent to the retail community and the public about police's approach to retail crime.

"I have made retail crime one of the priorities for the police executive and that means increasing the focus on it.

"The memo has been confusing and unhelpful and does not meet my expectations on retail crime or the expectations of the retail community."

He said he had asked for a reminder to be issued to all district commanders that they should continue focusing on apprehending offenders wherever possibile and upholding the law regardless of the thresholds set out in the memo.

"Our role is to enforce the law. If we were to take our focus off that, we are giving license to offenders to commit crime. That will not happen.

"Retail crime is increasing and we are working closely with the retail community to address it. I want them to have confidence that we will continue to do so."

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said it was good to see Chambers clarify the meaning of the directive.

"It's good to see that the police commissioner quickly correct the memo that went out that was wrong and not appropriate. We want our police helping New Zealanders, protecting and serving us and hunting down crime at all sorts of types."

He also reiterated that National was a "party of law and order" and police were expected to tackle crime everywhere.

Police executive director for victims and resolutions Rachael Bambery said District Commanders would be reminded districts had discretion to investigate crimes, taking into account context and available resources.

“Early case closure is not final as new information and patterns often allow Police to revisit cases, for example where a small number of offenders can be linked to multiple offences.”