The Police Minister is attempting to clarify the meaning of a memo to staff on lower-value retail crime cases.

The nation-wide directive told staff not to investigate shoplifting worth less than $500 dollars - and less significant petrol, online and retail theft. 

Mark Mitchell says that's not explicitly what the memo intended.

He's promised police will respond to crime, and says the directive should have been worded better. 

"And it could have been much clearer in the way it was written - it did create some confusion, I totally understand and get that."

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