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There’s been a clear change in the way police are tackling gangs and their members’ criminal offending.
One key reason is the passing of the coalition Government’s Gangs Act 2024, which prohibits the display of gang insignia in public places.
People convicted of breaking the law can be imprisoned for up to six months or fined up to $5000.
Anyone convicted of an offence under the law can have their gang insignia forfeited to the Crown and destroyed or disposed of by the courts.
The law lists 35 gangs that are covered by the new law.
They include well-known New Zealand gangs such as Black Power, Mongrel Mob, Head Hunters, Killerbeez, King Cobra and Tribesmen MC.
There’s also gangs that have arrived here from overseas, such as Bandidos MC, Comanchero MC, Hells Angels MC, and Mongols MC.
Prior to the new law coming into force, Counties Manukau East Police community services manager, senior sergeant Anson Lin, told the Times: “Police will collect evidence and then afterward go and do a search warrant and we will enforce the law.
“Whether we seize the patches, or seize vehicles, or whether we arrest people.
“Ongoing communication will come out so we make sure we engage and everyone has the right expectations and understanding of this law.”
Police Assistant Commissioner Paul Basham says police will actively enforce any breaches of the Gangs Act.
In preparation, police launched Operation Nickel, a plan to support officers around the country with the new enforcement powers.
“If you wear a gang patch in public, or display a sign or symbol associated with a gang, you can expect the attention of police, either at the time of the offence, or at a time that suits us,” Basham says.
“This operation sets us up well to respond to breaches and enforce the law accordingly.
“There will be no excuses. Anyone found in breach of the law can expect the certainty that police will take action.”
Such work will be the focus of new police Gang Disruption Units, which are dedicated teams across the country to help identify, target and catch priority offenders.
This includes following up on reports of breaches and, where appropriate, obtaining sufficient information to enable the execution of search warrants and arrests to recover gang insignia.
The new law also enables police to issue dispersal notices to gang members which require them to leave an area and not associate in public for seven days.
Someone would not breach the new law by wearing gang insignia in a private residence, unless the person is subject to a prohibition order.
