Police release cost of caps after long battle

It has taken seven months, a series of emails and a complaint to the Ombudsman to finally reveal the cost of the police’s new baseball-style caps – $58 each, excluding GST.

The Press’s battle to get the information released began in April when an Official Information Act (OIA) request was made to police requesting, among other things, the cost of each cap.

The question was asked after internal sources raised concerns about the cost and secrecy around it.

It took two months for The Press to receive the OIA response, with police releasing several documents including a business case, user evaluations and emails about the caps.

The documents said police would need about 10,000 caps to fulfil the initial national roll-out, and that the lifespan of a cap for heavier users was about one year – though it is unclear what constitutes a ‘‘heavy user’’ of a cap.

However, police would not release the cost of each cap because of commercial sensitivity. National’s police spokesman, Simeon Brown, said he struggled to understand how the cost was commercially sensitive.

The Press complained to the Ombudsman in June, citing public interest in the amount for each cap being released.

It was not until November 4 that police, following discussions with the Ombudsman, confirmed they had budgeted $620,000 for the initial roll-out.

‘‘This includes the cost of the caps, stitching of police branding (which must be highly visible) and materials including the Sillitoe tartan which had to be sourced from the UK,’’ police acting capability director Inspector Jason Ross said.

But police continued to withhold the cost of each cap, arguing that to release it would prejudice the commercial position of the manufacturer.

The Press asked the Ombudsman to continue its investigation to determine whether the information should be released.

On Tuesday, police informed The Press that following further discussion the manufacturer had agreed the unit price of the caps could be released.

‘‘Obtaining consent from the manufacturer has been a vital part of this process, considering the unit price was treated as confidential under the contract police have with the manufacturer,’’ Ross said.

‘‘Police are also required to ensure the release of this information would not have any detrimental impact on the manufacturer’s business.’’

The price per cap was $58.20, excluding GST.

Police Association president Chris Cahill previously said the caps were ‘‘extremely popular’’ with members.

‘‘In terms of the cost, the association believes it would not be appropriate to buy cheap caps that were not fit for purpose and had a short lifetime as this would be false economy.

‘‘For staff to obtain the benefits, a cap that fitted comfortably and addresses issues such as overheating is important.’’

The cost of the caps did not seem excessive, Cahill said.

‘‘They have proven very popular with staff and have the benefit of making police look more contemporary, and this can have unintended benefits such as staff being seen as more approachable by younger children.’’

Police Minister Poto Williams previously declined to comment as it was an ‘‘operational’’ matter.