How 'policing' - New Zealand Police Association

The Voice of PoliceVOLUME 39 • NUMBER 6 • JULY 2006The revolving doorof recruitmentand retention TWO MAJOR HEADACHES FOR NZ POLICE ARE NEW OFFICERS LAMBS TO THE SLAUGHTER? REFLECTIONS FROM A NEW CONSTABLE

PoliceNewsThe Voice of Police148TRADES’ HALL REVISITEDNZ Police Association Police News is the magazine of theNew Zealand Police Association and incorporates the NewZealand Police Journal fi rst published in 1937.Editor: Steve PlowmanJuly 2006, Vol. 39, No.6ISSN 1175-9445Deadline for next issue Monday, July 17, 2006.Published by the New Zealand Police AssociationP.O. Box 12344, Willbank House, 57 Willis Street, Wgtn.Phone: (04) 496 6800, Facsmile: (04) 471 1309Email: editor@policeassn.org.nzWebsite: www.policeassn.org.nzPrinted by City Print Communications, Wgtn.Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of theAssociation.COPYRIGHT: NZPA Police News must not be reproduced inpart or as a whole without the formal consent of the copyrightholder - the New Zealand Police Association.ContentsFrom the President 139Operational trial of Tasers set for September 139Police to oversee E-bail scheme 140Dog Section 50th anniversary celebrations 140Ed (Edge) owes life to retired greyhound 141Longest-serving Association staff member earns President’s Award 142/143Obituary – Helen Hinds 144Graham Hall receives Bill Murray Award 145150RECRUITING AND RETENTIONMemorial Wall 145Second Greytown holiday home on the way 146Health Watch 147CPNZ conference – how ‘policing’ is changing 148Pledge of Association support to deal with drug problems 149Recruitment and retention – two major headaches 150/156View from the bottom 157Copper’s crossword 157159TESTING TIMES AHEADFront page: THE CAVALRY IS COMING: Or is it? As NZPolice target young school leavers for a police career manyexperienced officers are walking away, demoralised by ajob which once valued them but which is now burning themout. The ‘cavalry’ of 1000 promised officers can’t come soonenough…see page 150.Photo courtesy of the New Zealand Herald.Keen on wine 158Holiday home availability chart 158Sports News 159/161NZ to host Excellence in Policing awards 161Letters to the Editor 162/163Reflections of a newconstable – see p155138July 2006

New Zealand Police AssociationOperational trialof Tasers inSeptemberPolice are to trial Taser stun guns in anoperational setting in September.The trial is to determine whether theTaser is suitable for introduction as atactical but last option. Police are lookingat the Taser as a less than lethal optionin situations where officers confrontextremely violent individuals, such as Paddicts.The trial will be held in Auckland’sthree districts and Wellington. It willinvolve approximately 90 staff, includingfrontline General Duties Branch (GDB)officers and Armed Offenders’ Squad(AOS) members.Certified frontline staff will be issuedwith the Taser on a 24-hour, seven-daya-weekbasis within the four districts.Staff and public safety paramountAssistant Police Commissioner PeterMarshall said: “Staff and public safetyhave been the prime objectives inresearching new less-lethal weapontechnology and we have been sure toinvolve key stakeholders such as AmnestyInternational and related organisations.”The Police Association is involved inongoing discussions about the possibleimplementation of the Taser.“What we don’t do, because we are so polite andeager not to be seen to be negative, is take theopportunity to pass our concerns onto our seniorofficers or others who can make a difference.”Telling it like it isWe’re a polite bunch in the Police.We may grumble a bit between ourselvesabout turning up for work to find weonly have enough staff for one I-car whenwe should have four; about constantlyapologising to complainants for turning uplate or not at all; for being unable to get nearthe pile of suspect files on our desk, whichwe know will end up with a file stamp onthem; about the latest survey or mandatoryform added to our already extensive list ofreporting requirements for every incidentwe attend; and for being unable to keep ourheads above water financially on the paywe get while watching other groups beingable to supplement their base salaries withovertime and allowances.But we tend to keep these frustrationsto ourselves, reserve our views for ourworkmates, the long suffering partner athome, and/or the local Association rep whowe corner in the bar or meal room.What we don’t do, because we are so politeand eager not to be seen to be negative, istake the opportunity to pass our concernsonto our senior officers or others who canmake a difference. So when the Minister,the Commissioner or his deputies visitdistricts, they are very well looked after, asthey should be, they are naturally shown allthe good things that are happening in thedistrict. There is a lot of good feeling aroundthe new administration and Minister and asa courteous lot; we are a little reluctant toburden them with the realities of frontlinepolicing. In fact, often, extra staff arerostered on to spare the visitors’ feelings.Last month in this column, I wrote abouthow the previously impenetrable ‘Berlinwall’ which had kept the Minister andExecutive ignorant of the true state of thePolice, had been broken down. Now it isthe “wall of politeness’, which is keepingthem so shielded, despite both being veryreceptive to suggestions and observationsfrom their staff.Both are returning from trips to the districtsunaware of the strength of feeling aroundpay issues in particular.We are and always will be polite as Kiwis;the recent worldwide surveys show that.However, it is important that politenessand goodwill does not prevent us frommaking sure that we take opportunities,which present themselves, to ‘tell it how itis’ to those who can make a difference, frombeing taken.The meek do notalways inheritthe earth!PeopleSoft being upgradedThe Police Human Resources Informationsystem, PeopleSoft, is being upgradedto increase the range of functions andinformation available. The objectives of theproject include:• Introducing online time sheet entry fortime and leave records;• Enabling some allowance claim sheets tobe entered and authorised online;• Providing flexibility via online rosteringtools with preloaded standard rosters;and• Reviewing the way staff activity iscaptured and recorded.This upgrade will enable a range of current‘manual’ functions such as time sheetentry and roster creation to be performedonline. And, in turn, this is intended toreduce the requirement for manual entry ofinformation into the Activity ManagementSystem (AMS).These changes will impact on police staffby requiring adoption of new systems andapproaches to recording of time worked.This will involve the manual time sheet,entry of information, and developing/recording staff rosters.The implementation date is 16 October2006.Ongoing discussionsPolice and the Police Association have beeninvolved in ongoing discussions about thesechanges:• All staff members involved i.e. thoseidentified as being significantly and eventhose marginally affected, have beenconsulted;• A Staged Area Pilot approach is beinginitiated and will commence shortly;• A Pilot exercise at Levin Police Stationis being initiated and will commencein July, and a more expansive exercisewill follow within the PalmerstonNorth rural area shortly thereafter.• National training will be ongoing; and• Future communication will beforthcoming in Police News, Ten Oneand on the Police bully board.The consultation process with Police willbe transparent, and affected members willbe appropriately represented.Should you have any queries in thisregard, please contact an AssociationField Officer in your region.July 2006139

PoliceNewsThe Voice of PolicePolice to oversee E-baildetention schemeBy Steve Plowman, Editor, Police NewsBurgeoning prison inmate numbers haveforced the government’s hand into extendingthe home detention scheme to allow prisonersremanded in custody to apply to live under24-hour monitoring by Police.The scheme, known as E-bail, or electronicbail, will be introduced later this year. E-bail issimilar to home detention in that the prisoneris confined to their home via monitoring byan electronic bracelet, which sounds an alarmif the prisoner goes outside a certain radius offreedom.$10.8 million extra fundingPolice will receive a total of $10.8 millionin funding for the project ($5 million in thisyear’s Vote Police budget and $2.6 millionnext year with the remaining $3.2 millionin subsequent years). Thirty-six extra nonswornstaff will work on management of E-bail but private security contractors will beused to monitor remand prisoners who aregranted electronic bail. Any breaches of E-bail would then require a Police response.NZ Police is currently working onassessment application criteria.Association concernsThe Police Association is concerned thatthe scheme, has not been thought throughadequately, that it is not sufficientlyresourced and that its main motivation is toreduce a burgeoning prison population.Police Association President, Greg O’Connorsaid he was surprised the Police had agreedto take on the function of administeringthe scheme given that it was clearly anarea generally presided over by the Justicesector. “However, now that we have takenon the responsibility, I am equally surprisedat the small funding budget allocated to runthe scheme,” he said.Thirty six non-sworn (Band E) assessorswill manage the scheme.The Police Association is alarmed that theseassessors will have to deal with criminals,their associates and the criminals’ lawyersduring this process. The Association isconcerned that non-sworn staff are beingplaced in a position where they may haveto visit gang addresses. “This work is bestcarried out by senior police officers, whoare used to dealing with gang members andtheir associates,” Mr O’Connor said.Assessors’ role“Assessors will also be required to buildliaisons with officers in charge of varioustrials, and individuals without knowledgeof internal police systems will struggle to dothis,” Mr O’Connor added.The Association sees the overall aim ofthe scheme as being to reduce the prisonpopulation. Mr O’Connor called this a“dubious aim given that police officers onlyask for remands in custody for compellingreasons” “Generally, other concerns can bemet by way of strict bail conditions,” he said.A judge will make the final decisionon whether to grant an electronic bailapplication.Currently judge’s grant or refuse bail basedon their judgement of a Police summary offacts. Under the Bail Act judges are requiredto take into account:• Whether there is a risk that thedefendant may fail to appear in court onthe date to which the defendant has beenremanded;• Whether there is a risk that the defendantmay interfere with witnesses or otherevidence; and• Whether there is a risk that the defendantmay re-offend while on bail.Additionally, under subsection 2 of the BailAct, a judge may take into account:• The nature and seriousness of theoffence;• The strength of the evidence and theprobability of conviction or otherwise;• The seriousness and severity ofpunishment for which the defendant isliable;• The defendant’s conduct and behaviour (inparticular proven criminal behaviour);• Whether the defendant has a historyof offending while on bail or breachingcourt orders (including orders imposingbail conditions);• The likely length of time before thematter comes to hearing or trial;• The possibility of prejudice to thedefence in the preparation of a defenceif the defendant is remanded in custodyand;• Any other special matter that is relevantto the particular circumstances (such asthe age of the defendant).Principal Youth Court Judge, AndrewBecroft, told Police News he was “prettyinterested in it (E-bail) for young peoplewho may come to our attention in theYouth Court”.“I see many young offenders who need to bestabilised and settled down. They may notnecessarily be going in for prison sentencesbut who certainly need stability for a coupleof weeks or so, which I think the electronictagging could provide,” Judge Becroft said.“If it’s well run, it could potentially workvery well,” he added.Dog Section 50thAnniversary setdown for 6-8 OctThe New Zealand Police Dog Sectioncelebrates its 50th anniversary this year.Celebrations will be held between Friday 6October and Sunday 8 October at the DogTraining Centre at Trentham.The organising committee has deviseda weekend of events, which provides anopportunity to meet old friends and tour theTraining Centre.There will be a display of photographs andmemorabilia capturing the Dog Sectionhistory. If you have any items for display orphotos, please contact the Dog Training Centreas soon as possible. Original photos will becopied and then returned to the sender.The programme is as follows:Friday 6 October 2006 – ‘mix and mingle’;4 pm – Dog Training Centre, Dante Road,Trentham. Cost is $10 per person. Thiswill be an open day for all dog handlers andpeople who have helped/assisted the DogSection over the years. Partners are welcome.Bar facilities are available and finger food willbe served.Saturday 7 October – Ministerial paradeand presentations: 1-3 pm Dog Trainingcentre, Dante Road, Trentham. This willinvolve a formal presentation of NationalChampionship trialists and will also includethe unveiling of the formal graduation/paradearea at the Dog Training Centre. There willalso be a Police dog display. Dress: Formal.Sworn members: Tunics and medals.Dog handler reunion function – 6 pmfunction commences. 7.45 pm – buffetdinner, 50th presentation/celebration andentertainment. Dress: Semi-formal. Cost is$45 per person (bar facilities available).If you would like to obtain tickets to attendthe celebrations contact your local DogSection, Todd Southall (extension 42893)or (04) 4943890 or Jan Wellington atthe Dog Training Centre at Trentham(Wellington) (04) 494-3890.Use of 0800 Ten Ninephone lineAssociation representatives maintain this telephoneline (0800 8366 463) on a 24-hour basis.It is to be used ONLY for matters that cannot bedeferred, such as Police shootings, fatal pursuits ordeaths in custody.Important and immediate industrial and legal advicecan then be arranged through the Associationnetworks.Please do not phone this line for non-urgentmatters.140July 2006

Stabbed policedog owes hislife to retiredgreyhoundNew Zealand Police AssociationElla’s friend returns homeBy Steve Plowman, Editor, Police NewsHastings police dog Edge (also known as Ed)certainly owes his life to the quick interventionof police officers, St Ambulance personnel andMassey University vets but almost certainlyowes it to a retired greyhound with the kennelname, Todd, as well.Edge, who was left fighting for his life afterbeing sent in to try and subdue a man whohad stabbed himself with a large carving knife,during a standoff with police, received Todd’sblood in a transfusion during a three-hourlife-saving operation at Massey Universityvet clinic last month. The incident occurredafter police were called to a farm nearMaraekakaho after a member of the publicsaid a man on the property was behavingsuspiciously.Blood bankThe blood used in transfusions is collectedfrom retired greyhounds and stored inthe Massey vet clinic’s blood bank. Manygreyhounds are destroyed at the end of theirracing career, although a recently introducedgreyhound adoption scheme is finding newhomes for many.Veterinary surgeon Barbara Kirby, who operatedon Edge, said that the police dog was extremelylucky to survive the ordeal, as one of the stabwounds had missed Edge’s heart by only amillimetre. The other blow punctured Ed’sdiaphragm and sliced into his liver.Edge’s handler, Hastings Senior ConstableDave Whyte, remained by his side during theoperation and his recovery.Edge’s career as a police dog began sixmonths ago and it is expected he will make afull recovery and be able to resume his duties.Tenacity and braveryDog Section supervisor, Sergeant Al McRae,said Edge had shown incredible tenacity andbravery during the ordeal.“He has already taken on offenders that havebeen armed and multiple offenders and hehas had an excellent tracking rate. He is oneof our up and coming young dogs,” SergeantMcRae said.The man who had stabbed himself wastransferred to Wellington Hospital by rescue• Ella Whyte, daughter of Edge’s handler, Dave Whyte, is obviously pleased to have her friendback home.- Photo courtesy of John Cowpland, Alphapixhelicopter. He underwent emergency surgeryfor serious stab wounds.The man has been charged in relationto outstanding warrants and for resistingarrest, being unlawfully on a property and forpossession of a knife.He is likely to face further charges in relationto Edge’s stabbing.Queen’s Birthday HonoursPolice personnel honoured in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for 2006 were:Queen’s Service Medal (for public services)Anne Sandra L’Huillier Corbett, DrurySergeant Luke Mikaire Crawford, Wellington.Detective Senior Sergeant Brian William Hewett, Invercargill.Detective Senior Sergeant Michael Merton Oxnam, Porirua City.Inspector (retired) Colin Vlietstra, Lower Hutt.July 2006141

PoliceNewsThe Voice of PoliceLongest-serving Association staff memberearns inaugural President’s AwardBy Steve Plowman, Editor, Police NewsLong-serving Police Association staffmember, Diann Stephen, who currently hasthe role of a membership co-ordinator, wasrecently honoured by the Association withthe President’s Award at a ceremony to markthe 30th anniversary of her career with theorganisation.Diann started working for the PoliceAssociation on the 16 June 1976, as apart-time worker in charge of maintainingmembership records. Fairly largeaddressograph machines were used backthen and Diann soon became a dab handat printing out the address labels, whichwere used on correspondence and later forthe mailout of the then Police AssociationNewsletter (now the Police News).Diann’s hours gradually increased and by 1978she was working fulltime, almost by default.Five years earlier, the Police and Families CreditUnion was founded after a meeting of eightpeople at then President Alan Monk’s house.A bit of a messAgents used to collect members’ weeklydeposits and entered them in personalpassbooks but by 1978 things had started togo awry and Diann was seconded to try andsort things out when the Association took overcontrol. “It was a bit of a mess. We foundpassbooks hadn’t been updated for severalmonths in some cases and it took a lot ofsorting out,” Diann told Police News recently.This often meant taking work home and alongwith that came extra responsibilities as thePolice and Families Credit Union entered a newtechnological era with a new Wang computersystem. “I didn’t have the foggiest idea how touse it and Bob Moodie (then National Secretary)put me in charge of the computer system. Itwas a case of sink or swim, so for a while I wastreading water,” Diann said.Later, a new computer system came onstream and Diann was involved in writing thespecifications for the Association, Welfare Fundand Credit Union. Many of those specificationsand systems are still in place today.• Three decades of service to members: Diann Stephen receives the President’s Award fromAssociation President, Greg O’Connor.Around this time, Diann used to drive to workin a little Mini, which was her pride and joy.But one morning the Mini decided to call it aday along Wellington’s Aotea Quay and shefound herself stranded in rush hour traffic.SurpriseA police car pulled up behind her vehicle andan officer got out. “Oh it’s you,” the officer said,“I’ve been looking for you,” he continued. Diannwas beginning to wonder if she was in somekind of trouble until the officer returned fromhis patrol car and said: “My passbook needsupdating.” And with that he thrust his PFCUpassbook through the window of the Mini.During her time with the Assocition, Diannhas worked in a wide variety of roles, forthe Health Plan, Credit Union, Welfare Fund,Staffpac Insurances and the Association itselfand it is that institutional knowledge, whichhas made her a great asset to all.Her focus has always been on helpingmembers and this has extended beyond herusual working hours to 11 years as a VictimSupport counsellor on the Kapiti Coast, whereher work in assisting victims of crime andbereaved families, who may have lost familymembers in road accidents or the like, hashelped many hundreds of people. She is142July 2006

New Zealand Police Association• A memorable day – the day the Police and Families Credit Union got off the ground with the first cheque from the Police administration,representing inaugural deductions from members’ wages. Long-serving Association staff member, Diann Stephen, then Assistant Treasurer ofthe PFCU, is pictured receiving that first cheque from Executive Officer of Personnel, Jack Harris, while Chairman of the Board of Directors,Alec Waugh looked on.greatly respected by Kapiti police for her workin this area.Biggest changeDiann says that the most significant changesshe has seen over the last three decades arethe phenomenal growth of the Association andits subsidiaries, and technological change.“If I had to name one thing as the biggestchange in that time it would be the advance intechnology in our jobs,” she said.She has worked for five Presidents andfive National Secretaries and says that theenjoyment in her job comes from assistingmembers who are often under financial orpersonal pressure. She told Police News she“felt honoured” that many members hadtrusted her with their confidences.If you ever find yourself in default of subs toany of the Association’s umbrella organisations,the chances are you might get a call fromDiann Stephen. As the voice of the Associationin attempting to reconcile these debts she isoften privy to details of people’s personal livesand has gained the respect of many throughher ability to keep a confidence and for thecompassionate way in which she has dealt withmembers in often stressful situations.Members who have tended to ‘shoot themessenger’ for their own financial misgivingshave soon found that Diann can stand up forherself too though. She is nobody’s fool.StickabilityWhen Diann Stephen a fresh-faced stripling ofa young women first set foot in the Associationoffices in Manners Street three decadesago, she had no idea that her part-time jobsorting out membership records would leadto a career that would still be going strong in2006. During that time, she has ridden thevicissitudes of life – among them the loss ofher much-loved husband Phil several yearsago – all the while providing a listening earto members’ worries, while keeping her owncounsel.People don’t stay in jobs for three decadesthese days but it says a lot for DiannStephen’s stickability that she has – it alsosays a lot for the respect that she has earnedfrom her colleagues and police staff alikethrough a wealth of institutional knowledgeand a top work ethic, which will often seeDiann the first to open the office door in themorning and on many occasions she has beenthe one turning out the lights at night too.Members have greatly benefitted from thosequalities as a result, so it was extremely fittingthat Diann Stephen, as the longest-servingmember of staff, should be the first recipientof the newly instituted President’s Award.“Well done is better thanwell said.”(Benjamin Franklin, 1706-90)“Whatever is begun in anger endsin shame.”(Benjamin Franklin, 1706-90)“The ultimate measure of aman is not where he stands inmoments of comfort, but where hestands at times of challenge andcontroversy.”(Martin Luther King)July 2006143

PoliceNewsThe Voice of PoliceObituary:Helen Hinds (1958-2006)Helen Hinds was part of the “Police family”throughout her adult life, initially as aPolice employee herself, and then as thewife of a serving officer. Many memberswill also remember her involvement withthe Police Association, particularly duringthe period between 1989 and 1995,when her husband, Steve, was electedPresident.Helen’s initial ambition to become asworn officer was frustrated by her smallphysical stature and the rules of the day.Instead, she joined Police as a clericalcadet in 1976, subsequently movingto Staff Section, where (in addition tomeeting Steve) she developed an interestin HR management that would shape therest of her professional life. A move to thethen MAF saw Helen progress rapidly tosenior management positions, followed bya series of consultant/contract roles with awide range of organisations - including,again, Police.Helen was intensely proud and supportiveof Steve in his role as AssociationPresident, enduring the many demandsand intrusions that such a role placed onSteve, and on her, as his partner, during avery busy phase in her own career.LoyaltyHowever, focusing only on the professionaland public aspects does not do justiceto Helen, or to the way she lived her life.Many will remember her loyalty, one to onefriendliness, personal warmth and sense offun.Those privileged enough to know her wellalso recall her diverse abilities and interests:an almost encyclopaedic knowledge ofnative plants; her interest in and aptitudefor technology – especially cameras andcomputers; her fondness for motor bikesand ‘nice cars’; her enjoyment of cooking/food/wine; her interests in arts and antiques(and bargain treasures); her ever-growingteddy bear collection; her enthusiasm fortravel and adventure; and above all, herdevotion to a succession of adored cats anddogs, and her great love for home, husband,family and friends.Friend and colleaguePerhaps the most telling tribute to Helen isthat the crowd that packed the Basilica forher funeral included former colleagues notonly from her early days in Police, but fromvirtually every organisation where she hadworked during her career. Most of those• Helen Hindsformer colleagues were remembering aperson whose guidance and support hadcontributed to their own careers in someway. Many were also mourning a dearand long-term personal friend.Helen’s death, just after her 48thbirthday, followed a fierce struggle withbrain cancer. The Association extends itsdeepest sympathy to her husband Steve,her mother, sisters and their families.- By Jo Stephenson, Jo Morris, BarryStephenson, Libby Tregear and CherylCrooks.Seattle’s get out of jail free cardIn Seattle, Washington some dangerous,violent criminals have figured out aninnovative way to legally “escape” frompolice custody and they are getting lotsof help from some of Washington’s majorhospitals, which are choosing to protecta criminal suspect’s medical privacy overpublic safety.According to an investigation by newsservice KIRO Team 7, some hospitals havedone away with ‘hold cards’ – cards whichindicate to hospital staff that particularpatients, brought in by police, should beheld until such time as they are well enoughto go to jail. This has led to a number offelons walking out the hospital doors tofreedom.Jail bars are about the only thing that stopsDwight Surge from hitting his girlfriend.Recently Surge was arrested after allegedlybeating his girlfriend again. He was so highon drugs at the time of his arrest that it took10 officers, a police dog, and a controversial“sleeper” hold to get handcuffs on him.Surge was injured in the fracas and taken toHarborview Medical Center.Admission for treatmentMedical staff said Surge would have to staya night or two before police could take himback into custody. Police asked nursing staffto call them when Surge was well enough tobe transported to jail.However, when Kent Police went to checkon Surge the next day he had been released.He had left the hospital and immediatelytried to track down his girlfriend.Harborview staff let Surge go free, despiteknowing Surge bit a police dog during hisarrest and knowing he faced multiple felonycharges.During their investigation, Kiro Team 7found numerous examples of similar botchups.One incident involved an attemptedmurder suspect being allowed to flee afterhospital staff allegedly warned him thatdetectives were on the way.Patient authorizationThe problem has arisen because of hospitaladministrators’ strict adherence to apolicy of not calling the Police to pick uparrested patients unless the patient givesauthorisation first. The administrators saypolice officers are responsible for overseeingprisoners and that hospital staff are onlyconcerned with the care of the patient.A new state law (in effect since July lastyear) says hospitals may call the Police withan “estimated or actual discharge date.”Harborview administrators said that theydidn’t know about the statute but theWashington State Hospital Association,which sets privacy policy for dozens ofhealth organisations, said that its clients(including Harborview) had been told itwas okay to ring the Police.The case has led to state legislators lookingat changing the law to make it mandatoryfor hospitals to call the Police when aprisoner/patient is due to be released.144July 2006

PoliceNewsThe Voice of PoliceSecond Greytown holiday home to be built• Another holiday home, built to the same specifications as the existing home (pictured) is to be built in Greytown later this year.Since opening in September 2004 thecurrent home at Greytown has been wellutilised by many members. In view ofthe high demand, the Board of Directorsrecently approved the building of a secondhome on the site.And the defence rests?If you ever testify in court, you might wish youcould have been as sharp as this American policeofficer (pictured).He was being cross-examined by a defenceattorney during a felony trial. The lawyer wastrying to undermine the officer’s credibility. Here’show it panned out…Q: “Officer - did you see my client fleeing thescene?”A: “No sir. But I subsequently observed a personmatching the description of the offender, runningseveral blocks away.”Q: “Officer, who provided this description?”A: “The officer who responded to the scene.”Q: “A fellow officer provided the description ofthis so-called offender? Do you trust your fellowofficers?”A: “Yes, sir. With my life.”Q: “With your life? Let me ask you this then officer.Do you have a room where you change yourNominationsfor PFCU BoardelectionIn accordance with Rule 7, I call for nominationsfor two Directors and one Trustee of the Policeand Families Credit Union.Nominations close on 29 August 2006 at 4pm.These must be in writing, signed by two memberseligible to vote, and include the written consentof the nominee. Nomination forms are availablefrom Head Office in Wellington.Planning and consents are underway andit is envisaged the home will be availablefor the 2006-2007 Christmas ballot.The new home will be built along the samelines as the existing home and will allowclothes in preparationfor your daily duties?”A: “Yes sir, we do!”Q: “And do you have alocker in the room?”A: “Yes sir, I do.”Q: “And do you have a lock on your locker?”A: “Yes sir.”Q: “Now why is it, officer, if you trust your fellowofficers with your life, you find it necessary to lockyour locker in a room you share with these sameofficers?”A: “You see, sir - we share the building with thecourt complex, and sometimes lawyers have beenknown to walk through that room.”The courtroom erupted in laughter, and a promptrecess was called. The officer on the stand(pictured) has been nominated for this year’s“Best Comeback” line – and we think there’s agood chance he’ll win!Nominations should be marked “Confidential” andsent to:The Returning OfficerDon ClaytonP O Box 12344WELLINGTONDirectors are elected for a two-year term, andretiring Directors may be re-elected. The retiringDirectors are Graham Duncan and John Keogh.Trustees are elected for a three-year term, andretiring Trustees may be re-elected. The retiringTrustee is Steve Hinds.Should an election be required, it will be conductedby postal ballot.Don ClaytonReturning Officermore members to visit this very popularlocation.Holiday homessurveyFull members of the Police Welfare Fund(serving or non-serving paying $3 perfortnight) will soon receive an Email linkinviting them to partake in a survey aboutholiday home usage and potential newsites.“This survey will enable the Board ofDirectors and management to assess futuredevelopments, particularly in the northernpart of the North Island”, Pete Hayes,Welfare Services Manager, said recently.“This is the area of the country where wehave the most membership growth, and wehave to ensure that we service this needwith suitable locations where members canenjoy an affordable holiday, relatively closeto home.”Members who participate in this surveywill go into a draw for a three-night holidayhome voucher and $100 petrol vouchers.Notice of AGM for PFCUThe Annual General Meeting of the Policeand Families Credit Union will be held onWednesday 25 October, 2006 at 11.30am at:The James Cook Grand Chancellor Hotel147 The Terrace, Wellington.STOP PRESSAs this issue was going to press, theAssociation was saddened to learn of thedeath of Dave Bowman, a Kapiti policeofficer, who will be known to many. Dave’sobituary will appear in the August issue.146July 2006

PoliceNewsThe Voice of PoliceHow ‘policing’is changingBy Steve Plowman, Editor, Police NewsPolice Association President, Greg O’Connor, recently addressed theannual conference of CPNZ (Community Patrols of New Zealand) inRotorua.Mr O’Connor paid tribute to the important work CPNZ did as the‘eyes and ears’ of policing, saying that community patrols were at the“grassroots” of the policing industry in New Zealand.He said that internationally, community patrols were playing anincreasingly important role in the maintenance of law and order.He had seen significant changes in the policing “philosophy” overhis three decades as a police officer, from the process where smallsuburban stations were closed and policing was centralised to bigger‘hub’ stations, while growth in the suburbs was “virtually ignored”through to the centralisation and specialisation of CIB squads into carsquads, burglary squads, general squads and the like.Then came decentralisation, which Mr O’Connor said, had proved histheory that “if you wear the same clothing all the time you will be infashion once every 10 years”.Kapi-Mana modelWith Kapi-Mana in Porirua being the model, the police were taken fromthose central stations and put into small suburban stations. The ideawas that by dealing with their local crime, police would prevent the bignational crime from happening - because of their knowledge of whatwas happening on the streets. But police officers ended up busier thanever, often dealing with problems that hadn’t been dealt with before,because the community’s expectations changed exponentially.Without ‘backfilling’ of those officer’s positions, as they were moved intothe small stations, more centralised capability was lost.“At the same time criminals were centralising, becoming betternetworked and more nationalised, while we became localised,” MrO’Connor told delegates.Over the last decade this process had been gradually reversed to wherecentralisation began again. Police stations like Ngongotaha in Rotorua,Greerton in Tauranga, Naenae in Lower Hutt and in many other partsof the country, were virtually abandoned for reactive and investigativepolicing. Where the stations did remain open, they became more of acommunity constables’ base than functioning police stations.ExpectationsThe problem was that the expectations of the people in thosecommunities hadn’t changed.Mr O’Connor said that’s where he saw a place for CPNZ patrols– working to meet their local community’s expectations, which policewere no longer able to meet.Expectations on police by way of training and accountability hadincreased considerably. A huge “vacuum of demand” had been createdfor policing services and it is being met in a variety of ways. One ofthe ways it was being met was semi-officially, by way of local bodiesemploying people such as Walkwise in Wellington. The other wasthrough the use of private security firms, for those that can afford it,and, for the vast majority, groups such as CPNZ were meeting it.• The Trades’ Hall bombing revisited. Someone’s idea of a sickjoke – leaving a suitcase outside the Trades’ Hall entrance inWellington – resulted in downtown traffic being disrupted andbusiness premises evacuated for hours recently. Police called inthe expertise of an Army bomb squad member (pictured) who useda robot to do a controlled explosion of the suitcase. It was empty.More than two decades ago caretaker Ernie Abbott died after abomb, concealed in a similar suitcase, exploded in the foyer of theTrades’ Hall. The murder remains unsolved.- Photo courtesy of The Dominion Post.Mr O’Connor said that it was hoped that the 1000 extra sworn frontlineofficers would make CPNZ patrols even more effective by having thestaff to respond to calls for help from CPNZ patrols.Present policing modelDelegates were told that the present policing model meant that districtcommanders and area controllers have their performance measured onspecifically reducing and dealing with volume crime.He said that policing could never be a “narrow activity” and that crimeand criminals must be attacked “at every level”. “It is not enough justto arrest burglars if we’re not doing anything about the reasons for theburglaries i.e. people are burgling to fund drug habits and so we have tobe attacking the drug problem at the same time,” he said.Important workHe urged delegates to let their local MPs know what’s happening withcrime in their areas. “Don’t assume that they do know. One thing I havelearned in this game is that things that are so obvious to us, we oftenbelieve must be obvious to everyone else. But, they’re not. Everyone’sbusy. Everybody has his or her own problems and, sadly, the squeakywheel gets the oil,” he said.He said that CPNZ had an important role to play in ensuring that NewZealand became one of the safest places to visit and do business in, inthe world.148July 2006

New Zealand Police AssociationPresident pledges Association supportto deal to NZ’s ongoing drug problemsBy Steve Plowman, Editor, Police NewsPolice Association President Greg O’Connorpledged the ongoing support of theAssociation to delegates at the NZ Police 3rdHeads of (Districts) Drugs Conference heldat the NZ Royal Police College last month.It was the first time a Police AssociationPresident had been asked to speak toattendees of this particular conference.Mr O’Connor said that the invitationhighlighted the partnership betweenPolice and the Association in the ongoingfight against drugs. He told delegates NewZealand “had a long way to go” to makeup the ground lost in the 1990’s but hepledged the support of the Association “inyour fight against organised criminals anddrug production and distribution.”He outlined to conference attendees theAssociation’s advocacy in relation to NewZealand’s drug problems, particularly inrelation to the growth of methamphetamineand its links to organised crime.ImpactsMr O’Connor said the Association’s positionwas based on a simple premise. “Failure todeal with the growth of drug abuse andthe associated crime, which goes with it,impacts on our members, not only in theirprofessional lives but in their family lives aswell.”He said the “methamphetamine scourge”was affecting New Zealand’s way of life anda failure to acknowledge the extent of theproblem and “subsequent failure to commitany serious resource or focus to it” hadmeant that police officers now and in thefuture would face a better-organised andresourced criminal fraternity.Mr O’Connor said that gangs were like arodent infestation. “Once you see them, youhave a huge problem,” he said, adding thathe had been shocked to hear senior policeofficers saying that there wasn’t a gangproblem during the mid-1990’s, becausethe gangs were not as visible as they oncewere.The Association began to raise the concernsof its members in the mid-90’s about theproblems they were encountering fromP-fuelled offenders. The Association wassurprised to find that there was generalignorance within the Health Ministry andother government agencies about the drug.Only Massey University drug researcher, DrChris Wilkins, seemed to be acknowledgingthe growing trend, Mr O’Connor told theconference.FundingRing-fenced funding of police hadhamstrung the Police’s ability to respondto this growing threat, he told delegates.Editors of major newspapers were alsolargely ignorant of the trend, despite theiryoung reporters being “reasonably wellconnected with their peer groups and beingwell aware of the problem”.Mr O’Connor said that the Martin Review ofPolice in 1999, which had led to the then 30Police districts and six Police regions beingre-designed into 12 geographical Policedistricts, had been an “aggravating factor”.These new districts were given an autonomythat virtually precluded any inter-district cooperationat the very time when organisedcriminals, almost solely on the back of the‘P’ industry growth, were nationalising andinternationalising.He said that the restructuring made the Policeresponse “sporadic and uncoordinated”.Acknowledgement of problemBy 2001 it was clear, from informationcoming from members and from outsideagencies such as Customs and Corrections,that methamphetamine was becoming amajor problem. When P-fuelled crimesbegan to fill the front pages of newspapersnationwide and the children of “middle NewZealand’ became P addicts, the problem wasacknowledged, Mr O’Connor said.But even then, the Police Minister and toa lesser extent, the Commissioner, stilladopted a ‘see no evil ‘ attitude whichresulted in little or no extra investment ineffectively policing the problem.He said that the groups attending theconference were now amongst those“cleaning up” as a result of 10 years ofinaction. Mr O’Connor congratulatedthose involved in Operation Fiona, whichresulted in the seizure of methamphetamineestimated to have a street value of $135million.“One can only hope that this is not a caseof ‘be very wary because if we have seizedthis much now, what’s getting through’,” hesaid.The President said that he saw theAssociation’s role as ensuring thatpoliticians and other top-level decisionmakers are made fully aware of the extentof the problem and the need to resource thebattle.Need for resourcing“Sadly, the clear need that you aspractitioners see for the resource, powersand will to attack the criminals, who aregetting wealthy and powerful on the backof the methamphetamine epidemic, is notnearly as obvious in the halls of power,” hesaid.Mr O’Connor said that “without thepolitical will” the ignorance of the 1990’swill be perpetuated and more focus wouldbe placed on whatever was “the popularpolicing philosophy of the day”.“I hope that we are beginning to see boththe politicians and the police administrationdevelop an understanding of the need toresource this area of policing,” he said,adding “failure to give you the tools you needto do your job effectively will impact on usall not only as law enforcement officers, butalso as citizens of New Zealand.”SpeedingBehind the wheel a young man drivesNervous and shaking, trying to stayaliveThe passenger, a baby is strapped inthe carThe father, the driver, goes way too far.He doesn’t have skillHe doesn’t use his headHe crosses the centre lineHis tyres have no treadHe loses controlHe has not listened to what has beensaid,The brakes do not workAnd now they’re both dead.The poem above was written by 11-yearoldAlexander Burnett.July 2006149

PoliceNewsThe Voice of PoliceNZ Policeis targeting young school leavers, many of whom have no work experience tospeak of and who, a recent study suggests, lack the mental maturity to deal withthe sorts of situations that frontline officers encounter daily. They aren’t exactly joining in droves either. The ‘cavalry’of 1000 promised sworn frontline officers can’t come soon enough but for many experienced officers it’s too late– they are abandoning their careers for greener pastures. Set amidst this are a whole range of issues; Tasers andstab resistant vests are needed because police are dealing with more violent crime; a rising tide of P usage is feedingburglaries and other crime; police are ‘babysitting’ mental health consumers, who have slipped through the cracks ofa fragmented mental health care system; the CIB is under extreme pressure; there is virtual anarchy on some nightsin the streets of South Auckland…the list goes on. Don’t mention pay either – Treasurer Michael Cullen is pleadingpoverty but it’s a line, which, for New Zealand’s several thousand police officers, is wearing as thin as the blue lineitself. Police are feeling frustrated, undervalued and many are ready to walk away and if they do so in ever-increasingnumbers, they are likely to take the promises of the Government with them when they do.Recruitment and retention – twomajor headaches for NZ PoliceBy Steve Plowman, Editor, Police NewsWhen is the cavalry coming? It doesn’t seem like any time soon.The revolving and interlocking door of recruitment and retention isan ongoing headache for NZ Police. We’re talking migraines.Recruitment has been up and down like a yo-yo and now attritionrates in some districts are starting to mirror the effect.With sworn police attrition averaging 5%nationally, Police has to find 365 or moreofficers annually just to backfill the officerswho are leaving, that’s without living up tothe Government’s promise of recruiting 1000sworn frontline officers on top of that. Theworry for Police is that in eight of the 12 Policedistricts, the attrition rate is rising (see graphson page 151). Since May 2004 national attritionrates have been rising steadily.• Ready for the frontline – but statistics reveal that within 5 years ofgraduating at least 30% of these officers will be lost to the job.- Photo courtesy of the DominionPostIn the last six years, the recruiters have beenwinning and Police have managed to add alittle less than 500 sworn officers. The taskof recruiting an extra 1000 in a tight jobmarket is proving a tad more difficult when thetimeframe is three years. Do the maths.DeclineSworn FTE (full time equivalent) positionsstarted declining in November of last year andhave, but for one minor upward blip in March,been on a trajectory which seems to mirrorthe Telecom share price. By May 31 the actualnumber available for duties had slipped to7,306. Police had budgeted to be just shy of7,600 and the target was just above 7,550.(See graphs on page 153).150July 2006

The non-sworn FTE picture is different. Policebudgeted for approximately 2,490 by Juneof this year. The resource allocation targetwas 2,530 and Police have come in aheadof both figures with 2,560 non-sworn staff.Non-sworn attrition rates have averaged about10% for many years.Non-sworn staff do extremely valuable supportwork in many aspects of policing but the pictureis one of an increasing reliance on them whilesworn officers are thin on the ground.In the last year 285 officers left and 334graduated – a net gain of 49. One wing, Wing228, contained just 40 graduates. After thisPolice pulled the plug on the next intake inSeptember to increase the October Wing intake.EncouragementRecent wing intakes have been moreencouraging.There have been three wings with nearly 100recruits in each (98 from the UK ConversionWing) but it’s a bit of a mixed bag with theMay intake (Wing 232) having only 60.Wing 233 had 74 recruits (the target was 80).Originally, this Wing was scheduled to containNew Zealand Police Association80 recruits, most of which were to be schoolleavers.Police News has seen internal Police documents,which indicate that Police have serious concernsabout meeting recruitment targets.At time of writing, there were 427 recruits atthe Police College with a further 848 peoplenationwide commenced in the recruitingprocess and 58 on the waiting list (i.e.available to start at the College). Wing 234(commencing on 26 June) was scheduledto have 60 recruits, however only 43 wererecruited. Another Wing is due in mid-July.6.0%Attrition - % FTE's5.8%5.6%5.4%5.2%5.0%4.8%4.6%4.4%4.2%4.0%Jun-02Jul-02A ug-02S ep-02O ct-02N ov-02D ec-02Jan-03F eb-03M ar-03A pr-03M ay-03Jun-03Jul-03A ug-03S ep-03O ct-03N ov-03D ec-03Jan-04F eb-04M ar-04A pr-04M ay-04Jun-04Jul-04A ug-04S ep-04O ct-04N ov-04D ec-04Jan-05F eb-05M ar-05A pr-05M ay-05Jun-05Jul-05A ug-05S ep-05O ct-05N ov-05D ec-05Jan-06F eb-06M ar-06A pr-06M ay-06Jun-06Attrition rolling 12 months - % of FTE'sNorthlandNorth Shore/ WaitakereAucklandCounties/ ManukauAMCOSWaikatoBay Of PlentyCentralEasternWellingtonTasmanCanterburySouthern0 1% 2% 3% 4% 5% 6% 7% 8%NowA year ago• Source: NZ PoliceContinued on next pageJuly 2006151

PoliceNewsThe Voice of PoliceContinued from page 151While NZ Police have done their best torecruit from the UK, the government seemsto be doing its best to stymie these effortsby heavily taxing UK police officers’ Britishpensions - not exactly a welcome mat to thosewho have come 12,000 miles to protect andserve. Under Section 70 of the Social SecurityAct (1964) UK officers will be required touse their UK pension to help subsidise theirNZ pension, even though they will havecompleted the required term of residency.Police News understands the government islooking at the portability issue with regard tooverseas pensions. The picture is even morecomplicated by a new tax regime introducedby the British Government, which took effectfrom 6 April 2006. It introduced a new taxregime for ex-pats looking to transfer andcash up their accumulated UK pension benefit.Police have had interest from Europe, theUnited States and South Africa also, but asDeputy Commissioner Resource Management,Lyn Provost, acknowledged before aParliamentary Select Committee recently,Police were “cautious because New Zealandersshould be policed by fellow New Zealanders.”$500 million injectionThe government has committed approximately$387 million in operating costs and $114million in capital costs over the next threeyears for Police to recruit and train anadditional 1,000 frontline sworn police officersand 250 non-sworn Police staff.The funding is as negotiated with New ZealandFirst in the confidence and supply agreement.Part of that agreement also provides forproviding sworn police-to-population ratiosequivalent to Australia by 2010.Police are facing a crisis in the numbers gameand the principal way to address it is to againmake policing an attractive career. Put simply,this government must ‘let the moths out’ bygiving police officers a decent and realistic payrise. Police have heard all the excuses – andthat’s why they are leaving in droves.The statistics on just who is leaving are verytelling. Thirty percent (30%) have less thanfive years service (see graph on page 153). Ofthe recruits Wings (213, 214 and 215), whoarrived via the Police Trainee Scheme run bythe Manukau Institute in 2003, the attritionrate is 27.5%.BurnoutWe are training new officers and then sendingthem into areas where they are burning outbecause of huge workloads dealing with high152July 2006volume crime. They end up leaving afterenduring their baptism of fire in hotbedsof crime like South Auckland. Some seniorofficers say they are lambs to the slaughter.Some estimates place the cost of puttinga new constable on the street as high as$200,000.Police are putting their money on schoolleavers in the hope that the starting wage willbe sufficient incentive to sign up.Many New Zealand youth, of recruitment age,are now fatter rather than fitter. Police areresponding by relaxing recruitment standards,despite assuring New Zealanders that therewould be no relaxation of standards.Police say they are using the same criteriathey have always used for recruiting.What’s requiredIn order to be considered for acceptance intothe Police College as a recruit, entrants mustpass:• Core competencies and values;• Physical assessment;• Medical requirements;• A psychological assessment;• Computer skills;• An interview with a recruitment officer;• Academic tests;• First Aid, swimming and defensive drivingcertificates;• SCOPE tests – SCOPE stands forSurroundings, Conditions/descriptions,Organisation, People/prospects, andEffects/education/training; and• Background checks.Police News has seen internal Policedocuments, which suggest otherwise.Relaxation of standardsPolice will relax the run test requirements ofthe PAT (Physical Appraisal Test) across theboard, but with particular leniency for under-20s.Currently, a male in the under-20 age bracketis required to run the 2.4 kilometres distancein 10 minutes and 15 seconds or under, withwomen required to beat 11.15. The standardwill now be changed to 10.51 (males) and12.54 (females). Allowances of an additional5% are to be made for applicants who performabove average in other parts of testing(including the academic test). This could meanthat the male (under-20) requirement for therun could be as long as 11.24 while women(under-20) would have an allowable toleranceout to 13.33. Over 40s will have up to 25%more time to complete the run.In what will be seen by many officers asa further ‘dumbing down’ of standards,the Board of Commissioners, was recentlyasked to consider lowering the PCT (PhysicalCompetence Test) climbing wall standard to4 foot (potential recruits have traditionallyhad to negotiate a 6 foot wall). There are 12tests in the PCT. The recruitment standardsreview paper, which recommends approval ofthe changes says: “…lowering the standardto 4 foot, will increase success by potentialrecruits.”Police obviously feel this will encouragepotential recruits in the hope that they willthen improve sufficiently during training atthe Royal NZ Police College, to eventually beable to scale a wall, which is 33% higher andrequires a totally different technique. Scalingthe 6 foot wall is required for a recruit tocomplete graduation.Other considerationsPolice management is also consideringreviewing recruitment assessment provisionsin the areas of eyesight, hearing and asthma.A failure in any of these would previously havedisqualified a potential recruit.Recruits are being allowed to enter theCollege with a Stanine level of four. Staninelevels measure aptitude and mental ability.Stanine level four people are more likely tobe motivated by monetary gain than altruistictendencies. The level for entrance into theRNZPC used to be Stanine five – the averagefor most New Zealanders. Police recruitsare required to pass university level papers.University study usually requires a Staninelevel of seven.The Defence Forces recruit at 18 years ofage but require recruits to do four years studybefore being accepted into the service.The Police Association has concerns thatPolice may be setting recruits up for failure asa result of these adjustments.Recruits have made a huge commitment inleaving their employment to train. With therelaxation of standards the chances of failureat the College will increase. This is even moreinefficient when training costs are taken intoaccount.Officers spoken to for this article suggestedthat lowering the standard was untenable.

New Zealand Police AssociationMatthew Wilkinson is a constable who is six months into the job. This is his story as told toPolice News in his own words.Reflections from a new constableI graduated from the Royal NZ PoliceCollege in mid-December last year.I had always wanted to be a police officersince I was about 13 years of age. I wasborn in Napier and wanted to work in myhometown as a cop. I finished my schoolingat Napier Boys’ High School in 1996 afterbeing told a couple of years earlier that I hadto ‘pull finger’ if I expected to get the gradesrequired for the job.When I left school, I approached theEastern Police recruiter to express myinterest in fulfilling my dream to becomea police officer. I was told I was tooyoung and to go away and get some lifeexperience. So I did.I left Napier to join the Army, spending fiveyears doing my apprenticeship as a dieselmechanic. I spent four years in Waiouru asa result.Hopes of joining PoliceIn 2001, after finishing my return ofservice, I left the Army and returned to‘civvy street’ to swing spanners and getback on track in the hope of joining thePolice.The waiting list for Napier was long and,consequently, a lot of things had to be put onhold. So I have been grateful that my partnerhas shown a lot of patience. A house andtwo children later and I was on my way to theRoyal New Zealand Police College wide-eyedand scared witless of what was to follow.Six months into the job I would not change athing. I realise that most people are keen tostart with but I really don’t see this changing.I have waited this long and I’m stoked that I’mfinally here.However, like many cops, I’m strugglingfinancially. I’m utilising the assistance thatthe government is providing and yet I’m stilltreading water. Sadly, I don’t see this changingand it needs to for many new police officers.Left better paying jobI left a job, which paid more and followedmarket wage levels, and yes, I did take thisinto consideration before joining, but I wasnaively under the impression that police wereto be receiving a pay rise in the near future.My partner currently works the days that Ihave off, as we do not qualify for a childcaresubsidy. We try and cut costs whereverpossible and I have recently sold my car inorder to avoid the associated costs of owningtwo vehicles.Due to the financial pressure that comeswith having a young family, coupled withthe increased cost of living, I have had tore-evaluate my options.This has included leaving the New ZealandPolice. I recently received an offer to workin Australia as a tradesperson. The startingrate is $A65,000 with the possibility of thatincreasing to $A90,000 in a year.Undervalued?Why does the New Zealand Governmentthink that we are only worth what we arecurrently paid?The New Zealand Police do an excellent jobconsidering the resources we have at handand that excellence is a reflection of thedetermined character of our staff members.It cannot be said that we do the jobbecause it pays well.Despite the attraction of working in Australia,I’ve put the offer on the backburner for now. Ilike my job but, unfortunately, job satisfactiondoesn’t pay the bills.New Zealand police officers need to be paidwhat we are worth and that means a decentpay rise. Not in a few years either – weneed it now.Bringing Bob back down to EarthBob, a cop of 20 years service, passes awayand arrives at the Pearly Gates of Heavenwhere St Peter greets him.St Peter informs Bob that they are now givingsouls the chance of deciding if they wouldeither like to go to Heaven or Hell. “To help youdecide, you get to spend three days in eachand at the end of the six days you decide whereyou’d like to spend eternity,” explains St Peter.Bob decides to go to Hell first. To hisamazement, Hell is not such a bad place afterall and he thinks it may have been gettingsome bad press. As a police officer, he canrelate to this. Bob finds that the police stationshave more than enough staff, you have allthe equipment you could ever want includingstab proof vests, there’s less paperwork, lesspolitics, the crims go away for longer, andgenerally everything is a lot better than whatBob is used to.After his three days in Hell, Bob heads forHeaven with great expectations. He is notimpressed and after his time in Heaven hegoes back to St Peter and tells him he’d preferto go to Hell.Unfortunately, Bob finds that things aren’tquite the same in Hell as when he visited thefirst time. There are insufficient staff, on nightshift there is only one sergeant and only oneI-car when there should be three, there’s somuch paperwork that he reckons the Amazonrainforests must have been stripped of treescompletely by now and the hierarchy thrownumbers around to justify what they believeare suitable staff numbers and crime figureswhen in actuality they’ve just got better atrecording offences. Bob finds that most of thecars have got dents in them because there’sinsufficient money to fix them, the crims goto court and come out laughing because theirsentences are really deterrent (Yeah, right!Bob thinks) and generally most of the copswho stay in the job are there because they likebeing cops and doing what they do.So Bob, rather unhappy and somewhatperplexed by this turn of events, goes back tosee the Devil and complains that when he wasin Hell for the first three days it was wonderfuland he wonders what has happened in theinterim. To which the Devil replies: “Oh Bob,back then we were recruiting, now you’re staff.”July 2006155

PoliceNewsThe Voice of PoliceHouston we have a problem….Money talks; deputies walkThe Houston Police Department have searchednationally to fill their thinning ranks, travelingas far as Detroit and Pittsburgh in the hope ofluring officers to the Bayou City.But it turns out the most eager applicants areright next-door.Fifty-three Harris County sheriff’s deputies haveapplied to join the Houston Police Departmentthrough an abridged academy, which startedlast month. They make up a third of allapplicants. Dozens more have asked about thejob, HPD officials told The Houston Chroniclerecently.The deputies have come for the higher pay,better benefits and career opportunities theirdepartment may not be able to match.“A lot of guys are going to wait and see howthis first group goes through,” said DeputyRobert Goerlitz, a board member with the HarrisCounty Deputies’ Organisation, a union thatrepresents deputies, jailers and other countylaw enforcement personnel. “If it turns out to bepositive…there’s going to be a flood.”County Judge Robert Eckels said that, despitethe draw, there were no plans for big changesin the county’s pay structure.“We think our pay is competitive,” Eckels said.“We will watch the situation. But at this time,I’m not alarmed.”Many deputies disagree.Imbalance“Right now we’re in a precarious imbalance,”said Richard Newby, President of the Deputies’Organisation. “Everybody’s hurting, nobody’swell, and everybody wants a fix. Everybodywants a fix right now.”Sound familiar?Like many New Zealand police districts, theSheriff’s Department has staffing problems.Meeting the law enforcement demands of agrowing population while staffing the state’sbusiest jails is challenge enough, with about100 vacant positions. To keep up, officialshave had to disband “hot spot” response teamsand postpone an academy class originallyscheduled for March.HPD’s tempting offer is not helping.Newby said Harris County deputies make about$3,600 less per year than they made three yearsago, but they could add an average of $12,000to their annual salaries if they move to the HPD.The maths is simple – Houston has a deepertax base and so can afford to pay officers more.Both agencies have relatively comparable basesalaries, particularly for starters; a first-yearHPD officer makes a minimum of $36,022,only about $300 more per year than a startingdeputy.ExtrasThe real perk is in the extras.Officers in Houston get unlimited overtime, ashift differential, weekend pay, stress leavedays, training days and physical fitness trainingdays – all things that Harris County can’tmatch.Along with the deputies’ experience, thedepartment stands to lose an investment of$45,000 per deputy. The 53 departing officerseffectively walk away with nearly $2.4 millionworth of department-funded training.The last time HPD offered a modified-entryclass, in 2002, only two of the 29 cadets whoenrolled came from the Harris County Sheriff’sOffice.Union officials say the situation this year is amuch-needed wakeup call.“Here we are, we’ve invested thousands ofdollars in people’s training, and we’re basicallygiving it away,” Goerlitz said. “We’re wastingtaxpayer’s money by not offering enough tothem to keep them here. It’s like throwingmoney down a well.”Denial of problemRecruitment officials deny there is a problem,saying they receive thousands of résumés eachyear from people who are interested in joiningup as police officers or detention officers.One called the exodus “acceptable andgradual”.At a recent job fair Goerlitz attended in an effortto recruit officers, he came face to face witha younger, more ambitious generation. “Wewere getting left in the dust,” he said. “Oncethey found out the benefits we had comparedto everyone else, they basically walked away,”he added.“Our pay and benefits have gotten to the pointwhere we’re the last on the totem pole…”The story is the same in many countriesthroughout the world. Young people areavoiding a police career like the plague. Wherethere is a family member or friend in the jobthere is a better chance of recruitment butthe fact remains that recruiters are facing anincreasingly difficult and unenviable task.In some overseas jurisdictions, PoliceDepartments have implemented new officer‘bounties’ – bonus payments for servingofficers who manage to recruit new officersinto the service. The system is working well isvarious parts of the USA.• Secret Police? Unfortunately for these Bosnian police officers itwasn’t a case of thieves being caught napping but themselves. Alocal photographer caught the two officers capturing 40 winksduring a shift – it must have been a particularly long one.• Not so secret police: The body language of the police officer at leftmay give a clue as to who was at fault in this incident in Belgiumin which three police cars ended up getting a bit tangled in apursuit that apparently went horribly wrong.156 July 2006

New Zealand Police AssociationThis column is written by a frontlinepolice officer. It does notrepresent the views or policies ofthe Police Association.Leaving on a jet plane (don’t know when I’ll beback again)By the time you lot read this then no doubt it’ll be public but me sources (andthey’re hotter than an Indian curry) tell me that we are supplying staff to theEast. There is always a need to send these contingents and do our part butwe are again leaving those left behind to carry the growing domestic burden!Surely, we should be able to put a few more on the numbers to deal withsome of the overseas contingencies?Maybe that’s where some of the 1000 are going.Me northern mates in the Feds and the local lads here in the Garden Cityare telling me that with the growing burden and increased pressure on ourdemons that there will be more leaving for greener pastures if a rescuepackage is not put together in the upcoming pay round. Hopefully, some willget out the shoe horn and put the shrunken blue suit back on rather thanjump ship, as all of us recognise they are an essential ingredient in our threeprongedattack on the baddies out there.Mind you, if you listen to that lot in HR at the castle, we haven’t got a problemwith recruitment or retention in any area of policing. Totally un-awesome in‘Wayne’s World’ dude!Walking the talkI hear that those with ‘pips and swords’ got out at ground level in the Capitalrecently to see how the thin blue line is coping. Evidently they went to all partsof the line to see what’s happening and what our team has to face day in andday out. Good on ya fellas and maams, nothing like showing your supportin person. May I suggest ya do it again and get down to the Great SouthernLands and perhaps take a game in at the end, just to reinforce that we’re acity of quality down here!I would have suggested a diversion north of the Bombays also but having topay to park and then take a 45-minute walk to your local station might takethe shine off a fine start to the day (especially if wet). If you went to Counties-Manukau you would certainly have been returning to the office with a bundleof files under your arm.Mind you, all great things start with small steps and if it’s heading in the rightdirection well let’s see where it leads us.A new sheriff in townI see the ‘Cake Tinners’ tenure at the top was short-lived after the outstandingefforts of the ‘Bombay Kids’ to intercept 100kgs of P and l50kgs of cake mixto go with it! Top effort, well done team. I’m sure our new hierarchy won’tsee this as just a ‘trend’ like ghosts from Christmas past. Just keep that stuffnorth of Picton will ya?…me thinks we should maybe close the airport andferry terminals and cut the cable for a while!Keep finishing like the AB’s team and we’ll all be happy. And welcome to ourfair-skinned Northern Hemisphere lot who are out and about this month.See ya!Karma for ‘snitch’ video makerA Baltimore man, who featured prominently in a homemade DVD dubbed“Stop Snitching” that warned Baltimore residents not to co-operate withpolice has been arrested, according to an Associated Press report.An informant tipped off authorities that Ronnie Thomas, 30, would be in SouthBaltimore, where he was arrested recently.Thomas faces charges of assault, robbery and probation violation. He washeld on a $30,000 bail bond.Second videoAuthorities said they also found evidence that Thomas was working on asequel to the “Stop Snitching” DVD, which had been distributed on the city’sstreets.The video featured drug dealers warning residents they could “get a hole intheir head” for co-operating with police. It created an uproar after CarmeloAnthony, the Denver Nuggets basketball star and Baltimore native, appearedbriefly in the background. Anthony has said he was not aware of the DVD’smessage.1 2 3 4 5 6Clues:Across:1. Wagger? (6)4. Clothes stiffener (6)8. Violent feature of an offence (11)10. Side sheltered from wind (7)11. Previously (3)12. Alternate fuel (4)13. When someone will attend(abbreviation.) (1,1,1,)14. In the distance (4)17. Recline and rest (3)18. Non-metallic element closelyresembling chlorine (7)19. Place created for street kids (5,6)20. Four dots combined to resemble golfersmarks (6)21. Bamboo eaters (6)Down:1. Road divider for cars (7,6)2. Cowardly perhaps (11)3. Closer (6)5. Overseas gang in NZ (6)6. Burglars (5,8)7. Disastrous end (11)9. Knelt (11)15. Kidnap (6)16. Film theatre (6)78 910 1112 13 1415 1617 1819June answers:Across1. Byte.3. Scrabble.9. Upstage.10. Paged.11. Exservicemen.13. Ethics.15. Amoral.17. Contradicted.20. Cello.21. Cremate.22. Demister.23. Chin.Down:1. Blue-eyed.2. Tasks.4. Credit.5. Amphetamines.6. Bugbear.7. Eddy.8. Fabrications.12. Bludgeon.14. Hoodlum.16. Gauche.18. Teach.19. Acid.20 21July 2006157

PoliceNewsThe Voice of Policeby Ricky CollinsCellarworks WinesI attend many wine tastings and occasionally I comeacross a winery or a distributor who presents aselection of wines that excites me. That happenedrecently when I tried the Cellarworks Wines portfolioof wines. Cellarworks Wines is an independentwine distributor, owned and run by Gerald Robertsof Christchurch. Over the last 10 years Gerald hassourced a quality selection of wines from New Zealand, Australia, Europe andthe Americas that are classic examples of their variety and represent greatvalue for money. Here are a few that really caught my attention.2004 Hanenhof Viognier RRP $22Viognier is a variety that is associated with the Northern Rhone region inFrance. It’s not a variety that is widely grown in Australasia. The HaanVineyard, based in the Barossa Valley, has produced an example that hasclassic aromas of tropical fruits and pears that flow through to dried apricotand cinnamon flavours. I recommend this to those of you that enjoy spicymedium styled Gewürztraminer.2004 Sherwood Estate Clearwater Sauvignon Blanc RRP $22A number of New Zealand wineries are now experimenting a little withSauvignon Blanc and making a different style of wine. This wine has beenproduced solely from free run juice that has been barrel fermented withindigenous yeasts for 11 months before bottling. The result is a rich,full-bodied wine with aromas and flavours of red capsicum, rather thangooseberries. The different treatment has removed the harsh edge thatSauvignon Blanc can often have. It’s a delicious wine, reminiscent of CloudyBay Te Koko, but at a fraction of the price.2004 Penley Estate Hyland Shiraz RRP $24Penley Estate is a small boutique wine producer based in the CoonawarraRegion of South Australia. Their Hyland Shiraz is a medium bodied red withstunning colour, aromas of eucalyptus with sweet berryfruit and licoriceflavours. The tannin and acid structure ensures this wine has cellaringpotential. Recently, this wine picked up the Best Commercial Red Wine Awardat the 2006 Sydney Wine Show, beating many highly priced wines in theprocess. This is a stunning example of cool climate Shiraz at incredible value.2001 Montellori Vignedel Moro RRP $24Gerald spent some time in Italy sourcing wines that represent the essenceof Italy while appealing to the New Zealand palate. The Montellori VignedelMoro is a blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. This matches theclassic Italian dry style with the body and weight of new world red wine.It has herbal, smoky aromas, a fleshy textural palate with delicious plumand chocolate flavours. If you’re interested in something a little different, Irecommend this wine.These are not wines that you will find in the supermarket, but are well worthsearching out at specialty stores such as Fine Wine on Line in Auckland,Rumbles and Regional Wines in Wellington, Hemingway’s and Vino Fino inChristchurch, or Rhubarb in Dunedin.HOLIDAY HOME AVAILABILITY– for bookings see: www.policeassn.org.nzJuly August SeptemberPAIHIA............................................ 10, 19-20, 24-25 ...........................................9-10, 23-24, 27-31 .................................................3-7, 10-14, 17-22STANMORE BAY ............................. 9, 16-20, 23-31 .............................................1-3, 6-31 .................................................................1-23, 25-30AUCKLAND .................................... 26-27,30 .......................................................1-2, 15, 20-22, 24, 27-31 ........................................3-7, 10, 14, 18, 20-21,WHANGAMATA ............................... 17-27, 30-31 .................................................1-31 ........................................................................3-9, 11-14, 17-20, 29MT MAUNGANUI ............................ 16-20, 23-28, 31 ...........................................1-3, 7-12, 19-24, 27-31 ..........................................4-7, 10-14, 17-22, 25, 28-30OHOPE ........................................... 9-10, 16-31 ...................................................1-31 ........................................................................1-23, 28, 30ROTORUA ...................................... 16, 19-20, 24-28, 30-31 ................................1-3, 6-11, 13-18, 28-31 ..........................................3-6, 10-13, 17-21, 28TAUPO ........................................... 19-20, 25-28, 30-31 ......................................1-4, 7-10, 20-24, 27-31 ..........................................3-6, 10-14, 17-22, 24, 26-27TURANGI ........................................ 17, 19-20, 23-27 ...........................................6-7, 20-21, .............................................................3, 10-14, 21NAPIER .......................................... 12, 16-1823-27, 30-31 ..................................1-3, 9-11, 13-14, 20-24, 27-31 ...............................1, 5-7, 20-21, 29PARAPARAUMU .............................. 16-20, 23-24, 26-28, 30-31 ..........................1-3, 8-11, 14-17, 20-24, 27-31 ...............................1,3.4, 10-15, 17-21, 26-30GREYTOWN .................................... 19-20, 30-31 .................................................1-3, 7-10, 13-16, 20-23, 28-30 ...............................5-7, 10-14, 18-21,WELLINGTON ................................. 16-18, 20, 24-26, 30-31 ................................1-2, 13-16, 21-23, 28-30 ........................................1, 5, 11-14, 17-19NELSON ......................................... 14-18, 20-21, 24-26, 31 ................................1-3, 9-10,13-24, 27-31 ...........................................1-3, 6-8, 14-22HANMER SPRINGS ......................... 12-15 ............................................................2, 10, 20, 28-30.......................................................6-7, 20, 28CHRISTCHURCH ............................. 16-18, 21, 26-27, 31 .....................................6-7, 22-23, .............................................................12-13, 17-20TEKAPO ......................................... 16 ..................................................................1-2, 6, 8-10, 16-17, 23-24, 27 ...............................5-7, 29WANAKA ........................................ 15-16, 26-27 .................................................9, ............................................................................Fully bookedCROMWELL ................................... 13, 24-28, 30-31 ...........................................1-3, 7-11, ................................................................4-7,10-14,QUEENSTOWN ............................... Fully booked ..................................................16............................................................................Fully bookedTE ANAU ........................................ 9, 13, 15-20, 23-29, 31 .................................1-17, 20-31 .............................................................1-7, 10-23, 29-30DUNEDIN ....................................... 16-2023-26, 30-31 ........................................1-3, 6-10, 13-17, 20-24, 26-31 ...............................3-7, 10-15, 17-21,27-29158July 2006

POLICE COUNCIL OF SPORTTo contact the Police Council of Sport, call Alison Murray at the RNZPC. Ph: (04) 238-3139Starr and Prendergast mastertesting cross-country course• Runners toe the line in preparation to take on very testing conditions in the Police National Cross-country Champs in Wellington.Organiser Glen Turner, along with course setterBen Cornelius, managed to find a true crosscountrycourse to test the best of athletes in thePolice National Cross-country Championships onMay 31.The NZ Police Association and the Council ofSport jointly sponsored the event.The venue they found was at Battle Hill Reserveat Pauatahanui, just north of Wellington, the usualvenue for pony gymkhanas. Runners bravedinclement weather conditions – featuring a coldsoutherly – and underfoot they were greeted bytesting, ankle-deep mud. There were a lot of tiredrunners at the finish.Perhaps local knowledge came in handy, asWellington runners collected the men’s andwomen’s open titles – with Phil Star and NicolaPrendergast claiming the respective honours - ifnot literally being able to show their rivals a cleanpair of heels, certainly being able to do so in afigurative sense.A star in every sense of the wordSenior men’s winner Phil Starr lived up to hissurname and provided a spectacular display ofcross-country skills and overall stamina to sloshhis way to victory in 33.57 over a gruelling 9000metres (3 x 3k lap), which saw runners negotiateseveral obstacles and a short but steep hill oneach lap. Starr, a former top athlete for WellingtonHarriers, has obviously lost none of his abilities,despite having been away from the local harrierscene for a while. Matt Stone and Rob Conderwere others to record strong efforts in fourth andfifth place respectively.Recent Rotorua quadrathon winner TonyBrownrigg (35.19), who showed himself to becontinuing his good form with another tougheffort, was second with Jeff McGrath only fourseconds further back in third spot.Strong front-running effortWomen’s winner Nicola Prendergast, a memberof Wellington Scottish Harriers, started stronglyand kept up a good clip in front throughout to winthe 6000m event in 28 minutes and 28 seconds,with Rachael Ball making it a Wellington quinellain 30.22. Waverley’s Raewyn Western was thirdin 33.06.The veteran men’s (40-plus) section saw LachieCameron (Otago) home as one of the mostconvincing winners on the day in an impressive34.22, just 25 seconds shy of men’s open winnerPhil Starr, while Wellingtonians Blair Hickey(39.52) and Steve Plowman (40.27) were secondand third respectively.The veteran women’s (35-plus) winner was LowerHutt’s Carrie Martin (31.28), which put her thirdoverall amongst the women runners on the day,while Raewyn Smellie (Upper Hutt) was second in33.56 and Susan Robinson 35.03 third.Big marginThe biggest winning margin of the day was thatof Brad Clark in the Draughthorse (95 kilogramsplus)section. Brad cut out the 6000m in 26.66to be nearly six minutes ahead of his nearest rivalMal Lochie (32.16) with Robert Gold home thirdin 33.36.Malcolm Chamberlain took out the men’s nonpolicesection ahead of former top harrier andretired police officer Joe Franklin, a long timerunner at the champs. It was great to see Joestill willing to brave the conditions and the terraindespite now being in his seventies.Porirua Police Club staff treated runners to somegreat hospitality after the event and many runnerswere thankful of the opportunity to take a hotshower at the Police College also.Visit www.policeassn.org.nz for updated contact details for the Police Council of Sport management committee,District Sports Officers and the latest schedule of events.July 2006159

PoliceNewsThe Voice of Police• Dave Robertson displays good technique in vaulting one of thehorse jumps.• Raewyn Smellie on her way to second spot in the veteran women’s6,000 metres race.• Bruce Adams, a member of the Dive Squad Team, may have lookeda bit like the proverbial fish out of water but he came dressed forevery eventuality.• Age is no barrier: Joe Franklin makes light of his seven decadesand the conditions.160July 2006

New Zealand Police Association2007 NZ Police Triathlon ChampsThe 2007 NZ Police Triathlon Championships will be held in New Plymouth on Wednesday,7 March, 2007.Contestants will compete over a 750 metres swim, 20km cycle and 5km run course.There will also be a duathlon option. Police family members are welcome to compete.The date is set for the week following NZ Ironman in Taupo.Full details will be published closer to the date, but in the meantime, expressions of interest aresought so a database can be collated for prospective participants.Any enquiries can be directed to Nicky Spicer or Jeff McGrath at New Plymouth station(Extension 63000).New Zealand to host this year’sExcellence in Policing awardsThe Australasian Council of Women and PolicingCouncil are calling for nominations for its eighthannual Excellence in Policing awards. Since 1999these awards have celebrated the achievements ofthe women and men who are improving policingfor women.The 2006 Excellence in Policing awards arebeing presented on Saturday, 28 October 2006at the Council’s annual Excellence in Policingawards presentation dinner, which is being held inWellington.Through the awards, the Council has recognised andhighlighted the work of some outstanding individualsand groups who are making a real difference.Public acknowledgementThe Council’s national awards for Excellence inPolicing are an opportunity to publicly acknowledgeand reward the achievements of the women andmen who are contributing to making policing andlaw enforcement better for women. They recognisethe excellence that is being developed andcurrently exists in policing and law enforcement.They acknowledge the work being done aroundAustralia and New Zealand to ensure that women’sconcerns and needs are properly taken into accountand addressed by policing and law enforcement.Nominations for the awards close onFriday 29 September 2006Every year, the Council refines the award categoriesand reviews the award criteria. The categories forthis year are:• Bravery award;• Bev Lawson Memorial award;• Most outstanding female leader;• Most outstanding female investigator;• Most outstanding female administrator;• Most outstanding female practitioner;• Excellence in policing for women initiative;• Excellence in employment initiative;• Excellence in policing in the Asia PacificRegion;• Excellence in research on improving policing forwomen award; and• Best workplace relations outcome for women.NominationsAnyone who is interested in improving policingand law enforcement for women can nominatesomeone for an award.The nomination process is simple. All you haveto do is go to the ACWAP website www.auspolwomen.asn.auand download the information kitand the nomination form. If you have any troublewith accessing these two files, just Email theCouncil at acwap@ozemail.com.au and we willsend you the documents.Don’t have Internet access? Just call the councilon 02 62842923 or 0417 231838 and leave yourname and mailing address and we will post you thedocuments you need.Complete the nomination form, telling the awardscommittee as much as you can about how yournominee meets the criteria and get your completedform to to the Council before 5pm on Friday 29September 2006.Supporting documentationInformative and succinct supporting documentationis encouraged, e.g. a supporting statement from anominated officer’s supervisor, women’s network,union, or feminist organisation would be useful inassisting the judging panel.Generic nominations are not useful. Please makesure that you address the criteria for the relevantaward and provide examples of how your nomineehas improved policing and/or law enforcement forwomen.For organisations that may self-nominate, rhetoricand publicity material is not generally as compellingas a supporting statement from the organisation’swomen’s network, anti-discrimination body ora feminist organisation. Media articles actuallydemonstrating advocacy for women would also beuseful.Lengthy applications are not encouraged. Twopages plus a cover page will suffice. If the panelrequires further information it will ask.How are the awards judged?A selection panel comprising the Council’s Vice-President, members of the law enforcementand policing communities, and communityrepresentatives will assess all nominations andshortlist nominees in each of the award categories.Address and deadline for nominations: Pleasemail the completed nomination form to:Australasian Council of Women and PolicingPO Box 3994Manuka, ACT 2603AustraliaOr alternatively you can Email your nomination formto:acwap@ozemail.com.auFor any questions please contact:Jenny Fleming on +61 2 6125 2637 orHelen McDermott on +61 417 231838Or Email: acwap@ozemail.com.auPLANNINGFOR YOURLIFE AFTERWORK?Are you a member of the GSFor the PSS?If you are, it is important youunderstand your choices. Thefinancial decisions you maketoday can have a major effecton your lifestyle in the future.Getting advice on how tomaximise your Police Superentitlement is essential.For a free initial consultation,speak to a Police FinancialPlanner today.0800 ON BEAT0800 662 328Your future. Our focus.July 2006161

PoliceNewsThe Voice of PoliceWrite it here! Letters to the Editor are welcome.Signed letters are preferred, but in all cases the writer’s name and address must be supplied. Names will be published unless there is a goodreason for anonymity. The editor reserves the right to edit, abridge or decline letters without explanation. Email to: editor@policeassn.org.nz orwrite it to the Editor at PO Box 12344, Wellington. Letters under 400 words are preferred.‘Them and us’ attitude not conduciveto fostering good moraleA pay rise in the order of 20-25% is neededacross the board to retain and recruit staff.The reality is we are not top of the popularitystakes anymore and won’t reclaim that status inthe near future given ongoing media criticismabout historical and current events withouttaking steps to attract and retain talented staff,who can assist in turning that situation around.SRBA (stab resistant body armour) is a very publicacknowledgement by Police and governmentof the ever-increasing dangers faced by policeofficers. The Taser is also an indication that thework climate has changed.The CPI index has become an outdatedcomparison. Government will tell us it is lessthan 3%. The reality is petrol prices are uparound 80%, groceries are up 30%, mortgagerates are up and local and regional rates bills arewell up and forecast to soar. These are the typeof expenses that directly affect our disposableincome.Auckland is hurting. Promotion increases - thetalk so far seems to indicate a desire for greaterincreases for constables and sergeants only. Thesame principal should apply to senior sergeants(and inspectors if this pay round negotiates forthem), otherwise a compression problem willarise.Surely the department can see a lack of desire bystaff to take promotion due to a lack of financialreward. Also, let’s not buy into this divide andconquer game.The upper limits of pay bands should also beincreased so there is more distinction betweenranks and as a reward for experience. Theoption to receive payment instead of time offin lieu (TOIL) is a very good initiative. I don’tknow whether this is intended to simply keepTOIL levels down or allow staff to be utilisedfor Operations on RDO’s (rostered days off)knowing that will receive payment as opposedto TOIL. Whatever is intended the flexibility isgood.Police is battered, bruised and worn at presentand a new lease of life is urgently needed. I willnever understand why the Police administrationand Police staff, through the Association, hasto fight these pay rounds out. It is very divisiveand confusing when we are supposed to workas a complete team to address crime and crashreduction. Yet, when it comes to a crucial issuelike a pay round, it becomes ‘them against us’and leaves a sour taste and distrust until the nextpay round.The pay battle should be solely with the PoliceMinister and government!Tim Crosland(Auckland)Very competitive insurance ratesAfter being hit with the recent mortgage andpetrol increases and everything else that seemsto be heading upwards, and attempting to livein Auckland on my salary, I have been forced tocheck every cent that leaves my hands.A few members told me they were gettingcheaper insurances from private companies thanwhat they could get through the Association, so Idecided I had better do a “ring around” to makesure I was not paying more than I needed to.The outcome was staggering.I rang four companies - AMI, State, Tower andAMP. When comparing apples with apples (i.e.exact same coverage as what I have through theAssociation), the Association insurance costswere by far the cheapest.AMI came in as the closest, but were still $200more a year than what we currently get. Towerwas second best, but State and AMP were amassive $500-600 more expensive per year,even with all the discounts the salespeople couldoffer me.So I send a huge “thank you” to the Association,for getting not only the cheapest insuranceavailable for its members, but also for keepingthe costs down for those of us not so well off.Lisa Allen(Papatoetoe)Visible vestsThere is a rumour that the new stab vests aredelayed because someone at headquarters nowwants the overt vests to be high visibility andreflectorised.Perhaps the rationale is that when offenderstry to attack staff they will be so disorientatedby the high visibility vest and dazzled by thereflectorised tape that they’ll miss.The military call it “shock and awe.” I’ll call it“mocked and saw.”All jokes aside, please say it ain’t so!Ryan Mitchell(Oamaru)Police are considering this but the Associationhas asked that any decision be deferred untilsuch time as we have had an opportunity todiscuss our concerns over this issue.Counties-Manukau anyone?Are you maybe a Southern man and lookingfor a change of pace? Sick of clean wide-openspaces and completing Pol400’s where thecomplainant’s surname is Border, Leicester,Romney or Merino? Well then, have I got theplace for you! Are you maybe a senior constableor an F, G or early H number and are fed up withbeing the junior on section? Maybe you wouldlike to be O/C station within a few weeks?Yep, still have the right place for you! Now don’tbe put off if you’ve got little or no experience, asthat’s not essential. But what is paramount is thatyou leave your district’s sick culture behind. Wein Counties-Manukau are proud of ours.Don’t be concerned if you haven’t completedyour PA requirements. That my friend, will nothold you back. You should experience the wholespectrum of the Crimes Act by your third nightshift and what you don’t experience then willhappen on lates.Welcome to a cultural oasis where you can betold “F*** off” in 15 different languages bymidday, and that’s just by your colleagues. Thisis the place where you can hear that wonderfulsound of a can of Woodstock being opened,followed by a burp, and it echoes throughoutthe lands.Yep, the South side for sure! CM offers a changeof pace. In fact, there’s three settings to choosefrom: fast pace - Papakura, Howick and Otarastations, manic pace - Otahuhu and Mangerestations, and for those who’d rather not have tosee the wife, can’t sleep or suffer from ADHD,there’s always Manurewa.Don’t get me wrong, CM is not just about work,there’s plenty of entertainment and jokes to behad. There’s the V8 supercars, the Polyfest andSir Barry Curtis for starters. If that’s not your aleof choice, there’s always the Manukau DistrictCourt. Each day an assortment of the finestminds do battle with the men in blue to protesttheir innocence. Then there’s counsel for thedefendants of which the crème de la crème fightit out for the prestigious Darwin awards.If that hasn’t sealed your transfer yet, this surelywill. The opportunities for the family are endless,particularly in the field of education. There areno fees or donations at schools, so long as yourkid shows up on the first day with no shoesand a note scrawled on the back of a cigarettepacket saying: “Baycorp couldn’t so you won’t beable to”. On any given hot summer’s day and atany given school your kid will be able to lookaround the room and literally feel like the onlyone in the class. Now if your little bruiser doesn’tlike school, he can always join all his friends atthe “Course”. There’s always a course near youwhere he can learn anything from web designcarving, hip hop history, to the more traditionalsubjects like, ‘unlawfully takes motor vehicle’ and‘five easy steps to a successful PCA complaint’.“Healthcare?” I hear you ask. The big CM is wellendowed on this front. The physicians out hereare top notch. ‘ They might speak with a bit of aBelarussian, Punjabi or Zimbabwean twang butthey’re versed with dealing with anything fromritual decapitations, back room abortions tomalaria and bird flu. They’re also very informativewhen it comes to filling out those pesky sicknessbenefit forms. The only blip on the otherwiseclear radar screen is that Bro Repairs, out thereoff Massey Road, gets a bit busy on Friday nights.In fact, it gets busier than a one armed bricklayerin Baghdad.If you’re still tossing up your options and you’vestill got your doubts, try a short stint in theSolomons or in Bougainville. You’ll notice afew subtle differences; the dogs over there areregistered and are soon to be micro-chipped andnot everyone there carries a Pacific army knife(machete). Their Pol400s are different too. Theydon’t include the box “Did/Did not consumekava”, but other than that, she’s pretty much thesame.Well then, Sione’s shampooed Snoop the Pitbull.Chen’s hung up the car keys and is off the162July 2006

oad and I’ve just downloaded a whole lot moreporn, so where the bloody hell are you?Andrew Coleman(Howick)CIB issues and comparisonsA colleague a couple of issues ago raised agood point when he stated that staff should bedistributed according to reported crime. However,he is mistaken if he is suggesting the recent influxof detectives to Canterbury District demonstratesinequity. In fact, the administration should beholding up the Canterbury District as the modelfor North Shore-Waitakere to aspire to.I recently compared the reported crime statisticsof both districts. The stats were pretty muchthe same, as was the population (if you includeTimaru’s population Canterbury has more byabout 20,000). The difference between thetwo districts was in CIB positions with theCanterbury district having almost 2½ times theamount of CIB staff.While it would be easy to moan about theinequity in CIB numbers for two similar districts,the bottom line is that the Canterbury Districthas got their act together. The CanterburyDistrict is showing up my district in seniormanagement and employment relations. Whileundoubtedly the FTO misnomer is affectingthe CIB nationwide you are far better off beingin the CIB at Canterbury than in North Shore-Waitakere.Whether we like it or not, Canterbury has morenumbers, more experience, better workingconditions, staff are better trained and ultimatelythey are better managed. As a result of thesefactors the morale is higher and staff are morelikely to remain.A senior manager recently told me that the CIBrecruitment and retention problem in Aucklandhas been on the radar since the early 80’s. Thistells me that for the last 26 years management inAuckland knew about the problem but declinedto address it while Canterbury obviously has. Ihave also been told by management ”the needsof the organisation outweigh the needs of theindividuals” and that “all the moaning needs tostop and staff need to get on with it”, and theclassic “that’s just the way it’s always been here.”So it is no surprise then that in the last twoyears staff from the Waitakere CIB have left indroves. It should come as no surprise then thatthe most experienced detective at Waitakere hasa total of five years in the CIB. There are onlysix qualified detectives in the Waitakere CIB,servicing a population of 180,000. Waitakere isthe methamphetamine capital of New Zealand(though if you read the local papers managementdoesn’t think there is a meth problem).What will be a surprise is when seniormanagement starts recognising there is a problemand then implementing long-term solutionsto ensure the CIB can function effectively. Thecurrent trend in Waitakere to create three CIU’sand drag three detective across to staff theseunits from an already severely understaffed andinexperienced CIB is not the answer.J McIntosh(Henderson)Anniversaries and accountabilitiesI am a great believer that we need to beaccountable for our actions. So who is goingto step up and be accountable for the bungledinvestigation named “Operation Insight”?It’s now a year since the media releasesurrounding this operation. The humiliation thatevery police officer endured is slowly subsiding.However, I still occasionally get asked if I’m offto “surf for porn”.Careers were threatened and criminal chargeswere to be faced for those unlucky personscaught up in an unfair investigation, basedaround the cloning of a system in a single 24-hour period.Thousands of images were examined and someof the worst were sent to the Chief Censor forclassification. It was repeatedly stated in themedia by the OoC that these items were notjokes but pornographic and objectionable.After all the initial, intense media coverage ofthe investigation I’d have thought that by now arelease as to the outcome would be appropriate.Were any items ever found to be of a criminalnature/objectionable? If so, what has happenedto these persons?I am only guessing [because no one has ever said]that from the tens of thousands of non-workrelated images found on the system that eithernone of, or perhaps one or two were deemedto be criminally objectionable. As a percentageI would say this would be commendable for anorganisation of our size.If objectionable items were detected the initialinference made was that these people would becharged. I don’t think anyone has. I think I knowwhy. The investigation was so flawed right fromthe beginning that there would have been nochance of a successful prosecution.And how many millions were spent on theinvestigation? Of course that is just the monetaryNew Zealand Police Associationcost. What about the resignations, the lossof morale, the humiliation, the inept publicshowing from our leaders?So please, someone in OoC step up, takeaccountability, state some facts and admit thewhole thing was disastrous. Make things publicand get this monkey off our back.“Anniversary blues”(Auckland)Superintendent Stu Wilson (National ManagerProfessional Standards) replies: After more than18 months “Operation Insight” has finally beenbrought to a conclusion.The aptly named operation provided many lessonsfor staff and management. Twenty-nine workshopswere held around the country with the last one beingheld in late May.The approach of the workshops was to educateand inform, rather than to be disciplinary. Theyprovided a forum for an exchange of views. Whilesome of the commentary was negative in the endmuch of the feedback was constructive and positive.While I don’t have a figure for the cost of theoperation and the resolution process it was verycostly in terms of staff time and diversion away fromdoing our job.Potential criminal/disciplinary consequenceswere signalled at the outset of the operation, butthankfully, decisions could be reached that no Policestaff member needed to face charges over misuse ofthe computer system.Among the lessons learned was the need for a new“Acceptable use of Information CommunicationsTechnology Policy”. The new policy sets very clearrules on what is considered appropriate use oftechnology systems. It will be reinforced throughan on-screen warning banner that all staff will seewhen they log on to their computers.Operation Insight has been described as humiliatingby some staff, to one degree or another. At apersonal level, that is understandable. Themanagement of these sorts of situations is never easyor straight forward, but from time to time actionswill be necessary to address the wider interests of theorganisation as a whole, especially when it has thepotential to impact on our reputation, which we relyon to perform our day to day duties.Hopefully, this sad chapter in our history, whichcaused distraction and deep divisions between seniormanagers and staff, can now be put behind us andwe can move on and focus on what we do best- providing quality policing services to the public.Useful Information & ContactsAssociation and Police Welfare Fund:Immediate industrial & legal advice (only formatters that cannot be deferred such as Policeshootings, fatal pursuits or deaths in custody)can be obtained by ringing 0800 TEN NINE(0800 836 6463)Police Network 44446 Website www.policeassn.org.nzFreephone 0800 500 122 Police Home Loans 0800 800 808Police Health Plan/Staffpac Insurance Police Credit Union 0800 429 000Quotes & information 0800 500 122 or (04) 472 9645or Fax (04) 496 6819 Credit Union www.policecu.org.nzStaffpac claims 0800 110 088 GSF information 0800 654 731All enquiries (04) 496 6800 PSS information 0800 777 243Vice PresidentsRichard Middleton (027) 277 9846Stuart Mills (027) 268 9416Field OfficersNorthland and Auckland Districts: Stewart Mills (027) 268 9407Waikato, BOP and Eastern Districts: Eric Newman (027) 268 9408Central and Wellington Districts: JJ Taylor (027) 268 9409Tasman, Canterbury and Southern Districts: Dave McKirdy (027) 268 9410Regional DirectorsRegion One Steve Hawkins Whangaparoa (027) 268 9419Region Two Mark Leys Papatoetoe (027) 268 9413Region Three Mel Ridley Tauranga (027) 268 9414Region Four Chris Cahill Napier (027) 268 9415Region Five Ron Lek Wellington (027) 268 9417Region Six Craig Prior Sumner (027) 268 9412Region Seven Tracey Maclennan Invercargill (027) 268 9418July 2006163

POLICE HOME LOANSReach your goal of owning your own home sooner with a Police HomeLoan banking package. The package provides attractive benefi ts tomembers of the Police Welfare Fund Limited and their immediate family.Special benefi ts of the package include:• No home loan application fee• 0.35% off the standard National Bank Floating and Flexible Home Loaninterest rates for loans up to $150,000• 0.50% off the standard National Bank Floating and Flexible Home Loaninterest rates for loans of $150,000 or greater• Competitively priced fi xed interest rate loans• Lending specialists who can arrange your loan over the phone, or for aMobile Mortgage Manager to visit you• An extensive branch network with home loan specialistsThe Police Welfare Fund receives a fi nancial contribution from the NationalBank to provide more benefi ts to our members.For more information call a National Bank Lending Specialist0800 800 808