23 May 2013

Tuhoe want review of role of Maori liaison officers

8:06 am on 23 May 2013

A Tuhoe leader says a report that found it reasonable for police not to involve iwi liaison officers in the 2007 Urewera raids shows their role is tokenism.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority's report criticises police for illegally detaining and searching people and for setting up unlawful road blocks at Taneatua and Ruatoki.

However, it found it was reasonable for police not to involve iwi liaison officers in the planning and execution of search warrants and arrests at properties in Ruatoki.

Iwi leader Tamati Kruger says if that's the case, the report should call for a review of the role of all Maori Liaison Officers, which he says is obviously tokenism.

Mr Kruger says their iwi liaison officer was the most informed person in the police force about Ruatoki, and engaging with him would have prevented any innocent locals getting caught up in the raids.