Aotearoa / New Zealand

Police Association response

"It's not worth getting hurt, or even killed, for a few dollars or some cigarettes," he said.

He makes a good point here, police get assaulted and they are expecting to deal with these situations.

He said police officers are highly trained and equipped to deal with criminals, however, they still suffer assaults.

Reduce poverty and improve the lives of people, we can't punish our way out of crime.

He said the crimes that would fall under these changes are primarily crimes of poverty, particularly, carried out by children.