Fire Police 4
Fire Police 4 : Fire Police Around The World: (1) New Zealand: In New Zealand, Fire Police exist by virtue of Section 33 of the Fire Service Act 1975. The Fire Service Act allows for the formation of Volunteer Fire Police Units (based on the approval of the District Chief of Police) and bestows upon them the legal powers of a policeconstable. Several Fire Police Units exist around New Zealand, some attached to Volunteer Fire Brigades, and others acting as individual units and/or brigades in their own right. Fire Police in New Zealand engage in all of the above listed roles. In areas where Fire Police do not exist, 'Operational Support' members of the Fire Service carry out the same tasks (using the powers of a Firefighter gained through Section 28 of the Fire Service Act). Firefighters (including Operational Support members) gain all the powers required to conduct their operations through Section 28; Fire Police wield both these and the powers of a constable gained through Section 33. Operationally, Fire Police Units and Operational Support Units are generally considered to be equivalent, and are well valued by both the operational Firefighters and the New Zealand Police. (1. 1) Future Prospects: A review of the Fire Service Act was announced in the late 2000s but a change of government placed this on hold. However, in the aftermath of the review of the Policing Act (2008) the NZ Fire Service announced its intention to have Section 33 of the Fire Service Act (allowing for Fire Police) repealed. With this in mind, Fire Police Units across New Zealand have become 'Operational Support' Units, with a largely unchanged role, but without the powers of Police. The powers of a constable are considered unnecessary, as all the functions of Fire Police can also be legally carried out under Section 28 of the Act (Powers of a Chief Fire Officer) under delegation, except for the power of arrest. Until Section 33 is repealed, Fire Police still exist in law, but not in practise
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