Stories by Ben Strang
News
Half of suicide attempts in police custody made by Māori
At least half of people who have attempted suicide or self harm in police custody this year are Māori. Unfortunately, it's "not a surprise".
Police watchdog says increase in complaints stretching resources
The Independent Police Conduct Authority says complaints have surged by about a third in the past year, putting a strain on its resources.
Road to Zero strategy leak: improved roads, more cameras, lower speeds
Speed limits are set to drop in high risk areas and some fines will go up as part of the government's new road safety strategy, a document leaked to RNZ says.
Roadside drug driving test to be law by 2021
Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter has announced she will introduce a bill to Parliament early next year giving police powers to run random roadside saliva testing.
NZ Cricket boss to apologise to Jofra Archer
David White is heading to Hamilton to personally apologise to the English cricketer, who says he was racially abused by a fan during the first Test yesterday.
Police welcome 1800th officer, government yet to meet second target
The government has always had two targets for adding people to the police service, and it has ticked one of them off, the police minister says.
Banned firearms: 'There's effectively a permanent amnesty'
The firearms buy-back comes to an end a month from today, but the police say the amnesty for returning banned guns will continue into next year and beyond.
Child poverty inaction: 'hard to tell what govt is actually working on'
The government has failed to take any immediate measures to fix child poverty, a member of an expert group set up to help reduce it says.
Addiction services may struggle as drug convictions shrink
Low-level drug convictions have dropped dramatically since a law change in August, and health and addiction services say they may struggle to handle increasing referrals.
Police bullying 'widespread' in organisation - senior officer
A serving senior police officer has come forward to RNZ to back up claims that bullying in the police force is serious, endemic and happening now.
IPCA to do its own probe into bullying claims
The Independent Police Conduct Authority is launching an investigation into allegations of bullying and related issues within the police.
Police told bullying victim to retract statement or face legal action
Police have told a whistleblower to retract his statements to RNZ about being bullied or face legal action.
Police announce independent review into bullying
Police Commissioner Mike Bush has announced an independent review of how police address complaints of bullying.
Wairoa police shooting: 'This could have had a very tragic outcome'
It was sheer luck no one was hurt when someone fired at a police officer's front door on Saturday night, says Acting Eastern district commander Iain Chapman.
Police bullying claims: AOS member 'feared' for his safety during training
A former member of the Armed Offenders Squad was told he could be the victim of an accident during a firearms training session he was leading. Video
Speeding truckies can now be caught by upgraded cameras - police
Until recently static speed cameras haven't been able to distinguish between cars and trucks which have a lower open-road speed limit. Audio
'Two sides to every story': Minister responds to police bullying claims
Police Minister Stuart Nash says bullying isn't acceptable within the police, but he's cautious about commenting on 90 cases now reported to RNZ.
Accused murderer driven around in Porsche by undercover police
An accused murderer was driven around in a Porsche Cayenne and exposed to significant sums of money during an undercover police operation which led to his confession.
Low meth price prompts fears of more harmful use
Methamphetamine's record low price of $450 a gram in North Island main centres indicates more is being brought into the country than ever before, a researcher says. Audio
Bullying in the police: Victim reveals identity and wants 'to see change'
A former detective who has worked with the British army and British police says he never experienced bullying like he experienced in New Zealand.
Murder trial: Crown tries to prove goats screaming, not human
Was it a cry for help, or was it a goat? That was the question being asked in a murder trial at the High Court in Wellington yesterday.
Bullying in the police: Victim asked if she had 'period troubles'
A victim of bullying in the police was asked by a senior sergeant whether her complaints could be put down to her period.
Gun buyback: Hundreds apply for permits to keep banned firearms
More than 400 people have applied for permits to keep now banned firearms since the Christchurch mosque attacks.
Bullying in the police: Victims say complaints system lets them down
Senior managers in the police are failing to properly declare conflicts of interest when dealing with complaints of bullying and harassment, according to more than 50 victims and witnesses.
Bullying in the police: 'It absolutely destroys you'
A former constable had suicidal thoughts because of the persistent bullying he faced during his time with the police.