Dear Editor, Reading Trev Pitt (Cook Islands News 25/3/25) going on about the shortage of Police, he makes it sound like a recent issue.

Sadly, this recruitment problem and shortage of staff in the actual police has been going on for years and not surprisingly, new recruits are difficult to attract because they are starting on the BASIC wage.

Clearly the next move by the Minister of Police is to establish a decent starting rate for these young people, let’s say $15/hr. The Minister of Police aka PM is also Minister of Finance, so this should not be too hard a task to push through … IF he has the WILL. Regrettably he WILL NOT. The PM might remember that not too long ago, you and your colleagues in Parliament received a 42 per cent + salary increase that brought most of you in the House up into about $50/hour rate, and many of the Senior MPs actually much more (not including allowances), if you work a full week. And you are not required to put your lives on the line during working hours, handle serious physical challenges, sort out domestic disputes, regular drink driving offences, etc, etc.

But you guys in Parliament can vote yourselves a massive Travel Budget increase, just so you can continue your lavish five-star travel life style, compliments of the tax payer … your electorate. How is this fair? Doesn’t anyone up there in those hallowed halls actually have a conscience? Don’t you guys see how wrong the system is? Or are you all too comfortable in those cushy seats and fantastic salaries and allowances to threaten your own personal wellbeing? 

Stop being hypocrites, look in the mirror, and work for the iti tangata who elected you to do an honest job and look after the wellbeing and future of the country.

(Name and address supplied)