Fears the relationship between police and small towns could suffer under new gang patch laws

The new police power which came into force this week allow officers to arrest people for displaying gang insignia in public.

More than a dozen gang members are due to face court under the new law already - including an Auckland leader of the Head Hunters.

Police Association President Chris Cahill says it could lead to more assaults on police in rural areas.

He says it could make it more difficult in areas like Northland and Hawke's Bay because of intergenerational gang members who make up the community.