The Voice of Police
VOLUME 44 • NUMBER 3 • april 2011
Amazing work by Police
staff in response to killer
Christchurch quake
n A long day out on the cordon
n New Brighton police saviours in eastern suburbs
n Fantastic ANZAC spirit in evidence again
PoliceNews
The Voice of Police
The Voice of Police
VOLUME 44 • NUMBER 3 • april 2011
NZ Police Association Police News is the magazine of
the New Zealand Police Association and incorporates the
New Zealand Police Journal first published in 1937.
April 2011, Vol. 44, No.3
ISSN 1175-9445
Deadline for next issue Thursday 14 April, 2011.
Published by the New Zealand Police Association
P.O. Box 12344, Willbank House, 57 Willis Street, Wellington.
Phone: (04) 496 6800, Facsmile: (04) 471 1309
Editor: Steve Plowman
Email: [email protected]
70
The legacy Peter Marshall inherits
Website: www.policeassn.org.nz
Printed by City Print Communications, Wellington.
Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the
Association.
COPYRIGHT: NZPA Police News must not be reproduced in
part or as a whole without the formal consent of the copyright
holder – the New Zealand Police Association.
Contents
79
Aussies respond in true ANZAC spirit
From the President
63
DNA results may be available within an hour
63
Police Association delivers alcohol law submission to Parliament
64
Otahuhu to get new Police station
65
A day in the life of the Airport Police
66/7
Employment Relationship Problems and Personal Grievances
67
The role of the Police Welfare Fund
68
A message to our Canterbury members
69
The Ghost of Commissioners Past: the legacy Peter Marshall inherits
70/2
View from the Bottom (I Am Keen)
72
Special liftout – the Christchurch quake in stories and pictures
73
Obituary – Alfred (Allan) Mills
93
Has your financial adviser passed the test? (Spicers Financial Planners) 94/5
Brain teaser
Sports News/Special Conference held on 6 April
86
Bruce Lamb back on the job in Chch
62
April 2011
96/7
Mark Burgess awarded Life Membership of the PFA/Memorial Wall
98
Keen on wine/Copper’s crossword
99
Book review: NZ Detectives/Holiday home availability chart
100
Winter-proofing your home and your wallet (Police Home Loan news)
101
Letters to the Editor
• Front page: TOTAL DEVASTATION: The TV pictures, with
their sound-bite out-takes could not convey the sheer horror
or devastation on the ground in Christchurch – you had to be
there to appreciate the scope of it all – and it was terrible. The
Editor was on the ground with other Association staff shortly
after the big quake ravaged Christchurch in 10 seconds of
violence at 12.51 p.m. on 22 February. See our special 20page liftout beginning on page 73 of this issue for the stories
and the pictures.
- Front page photos courtesy of The Dominion Post.
96
High court rules gang insignias ban technically unlawful
Those wishing not to receive a personal copy
of Police News should contact the Editor
([email protected]) to be removed
from the distribution list.
102/3
104
New Zealand Police Association
“What we can demand as police is fairness
and consistency. Strict accountability of police
is appropriate, so let’s have the same level of
consistency around public servants,
judges and parliamentarians.”
What’s good for the goose…
In last month’s column, I pointed
out the fact that organisations like the
Independent Police Conduct Authority
(IPCA) and State Services Commission
(SSC), owner of the PriceWaterhouse
Cooper report, seem to be exempt from
the normal rules of investigation which
apply to Police; rules which require us
to at least attempt to interview all the
pertinent witnesses and participants in
any event we are investigating.
Then, when the matter came to light,
the officer was pilloried and named and
shamed in the media. Unsurprisingly,
the officer is no longer in the Police.
Recent events show that senior State
Services Commission staff are also
seemingly exempt from the same
conflict-of-interest standards, which
they as overseers of the Commission
of Inquiry (COI) into Police Conduct,
demand of police.
Who guards the guards one might
ask? Are consequences directly
commensurate with the number of
newspaper column inches generated
against the organisation? Unfortunately,
because media seem to focus their
attention on Police, we consistently win
that contest.
Recently, a senior State Services
employee, specifically assigned to
oversee Police COI implementation,
began a sexual relationship with one of
the key Police staff members they were
supposed to monitoring!
Furthermore, that person also reviewed
an investigation carried out against the
police officer, without apparently seeing
or declaring any conflict of interest.
Have you moved
recently?
If you have moved or perhaps are about
to, please let us know so we can update
your records. You can do this by:
• writing to us at PO Box 12344;
• calling us on free phone
0800 500 122;
• faxing us on (04) 496 6819; or
• Emailing us at:
[email protected]
You need to let us know your membership
number, new address and if you’re a
serving member - your new station.
Curiously, the State Services employee,
who I would argue was considerably
more conflicted than the police officer,
was moved away from the Police
oversight role. However, as far as I am
aware, that employee has not suffered
any career consequences.
What we can demand as police is fairness
and consistency. Strict accountability of
police is appropriate, so let’s have the
same level of consistency around public
servants, judges and parliamentarians.
Just because errant police officers are
better headlines than errant State Service
employees who don’t have a plethora of
oversight bodies, that is no excuse for
inequity, especially when the behaviour
is more conflicted.
Hopefully, we will see a new breed of
leader enter the public service - and the
Police too - who are prepared to stand
up for their employees, and not go into a
craven mea culpa every time accusations
surface.
And importantly, ensure we make
decisions based on facts, not
perceptions.
DNA results
may be available
within an hour –
but legal problems
are the big issue
Thanks to advancements in new technology, three new systems that can analyse
DNA samples taken in custody suites in
less than an hour are now predicted to
enter service within the next 12 months.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
is concentrating on making sure the device works using laboratory tests, according to Jane’s Police Product Review.
However, if the FBI tests prove positive,
there will still be legal and policy changes
necessary before Police can introduce it to
custody suites.
In the past 18 months, the US Government has been developing a rapid DNA
profiling system known as Automated
Nuclear DNA Equipment (ANDE). This is
a joint initiative between the FBI, the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department for Homeland Security (DHS).
There are two parts to the system. The first
is the analysis and matching of multiple
DNA samples in one hour. The second is a
low cost and rapid DNA-based biometric
device that verifies identity or kinship
within one hour and has been part of a
two-year development programme.
A prototype and production model will
be available by the third quarter of 2011.
Meanwhile, a system developed by the
UK Forensic Science Service and Arizona
State University is commercially available
now, according to Jane’s PPR.
In the late 1980s it could take up to seven
weeks to get a full forensic profile from
a crime scene or a suspect in custody.
By the 1990s, this turnaround time had
shortened to three days.
However, there are legal challenges ahead.
Under federal law, the only DNA samples
that can be inserted into a national
system are those that are provided in an
accredited laboratory. A Police booking
location is not an accredited laboratory.
Estimates have indicated that it could take
between five and seven years before all the
legal issues are resolved.
Article © IHS Global Limited 2010. Reproduced with
permission.
April 2011
63
The Voice of Police
Photo courtesy of Istockphoto.com
PoliceNews
Police Association delivers alcohol
law submission to Parliament
The Alcohol Reform Bill, currently before
Parliament, may in future be seen as a
missed opportunity to address the ‘big
issues’ in alcohol regulation, the Police
Association told Members of Parliament
last month.
The Association lodged a submission with
the Justice and Electoral Select Committee
outlining the Association’s views on the
key reforms proposed by the Bill. On 10
March, Police Association President Greg
O’Connor, Communications Manager
Luke McMahon and constabulary
member Craig Tickelpenny – who
has just completed a secondment to
the Association – appeared before the
committee to field follow-up questions
from the MPs.
Alcohol related disorder and offending is
a significant drain on Police resources, the
Association said in its submission, with
members dealing with the ‘human face’
of alcohol abuse on a daily basis. That
makes police officers uniquely placed
“to identify, based on their experience,
the major shortcomings of the current
regulatory environment, and the areas
where changes would be most likely to
have a significant positive impact.”
Restricting supply
Virtually all Police Association members
believe the purchase age should be raised,
with the vast majority favouring a single
purchase age of 20 years old. However,
the Alcohol Reform Bill proposes a split
age – 18 for on-licence purchases, and
20 for off-licence. While not ideal, the
move is “likely to be viewed as a step in
the right direction,” Mr O’Connor told
the committee.
The Association told the committee that
restricting hours of trade for licensed
64
April 2011
premises was key to curbing late-night
‘pre-loading’ and ‘top-up’ binges from
off-licences, as well as restricting access
to the ‘last drink’ that so often leads to
trouble. While the Association said it
favoured nationwide closing times of 10
p.m. for off-licences, and 3 a.m. for onlicences, the Bill pushes these out to 11
p.m. and 4 a.m. respectively.
Of greater concern, however, is that
the Bill allows the nationwide default
hours to be extended locally by Local
Alcohol Policies. “This will inevitably
make trading hours highly politicised
at a local level. Local councils will
come under extreme pressure from the
liquor industry and its allies to allow
longer hours in New Zealand’s big ‘party
zones’ – which is exactly where police
encounter the worst alcohol-fuelled
chaos,” Mr O’Connor said.
Infringement regime
The Association submission commended
the Bill’s proposal to allow greater use of
infringement notices to deal with a range
of offences, including for breaches of
liquor bans. Greg O’Connor and Craig
Tickelpenny, who both have direct
experience policing liquor bans, rejected
criticism that preserving a power to
arrest was incompatible with moving to
an infringement regime.
The submission argued that, where a
warning is not sufficient, issuing an
infringement notice will be sufficient to
deal with the vast majority of breaches.
That will deliver considerable benefits
both in police processing time – meaning
officers can spend more time on the
streets policing the ‘hotspots’ – and also
less time spent in court down the track.
However, it is critical that Police also
retain the power to arrest for breach of
liquor ban offences. “Where somebody
is likely to start trouble, and is stirring
others up, you need the power to remove
them from the environment. You don’t
necessarily need to criminalise them –
an ION (Infringement Offence Notice)
issued back at the station will usually
do the trick,” Mr Tickelpenny told Police
News after his committee appearance.
Mr O’Connor added: “The whole reason
why liquor bans were introduced was
so police could take early action to
prevent serious disorder. They have
worked brilliantly, in places as diverse
as Whangamata and Westport, but the
power to arrest is a key part of that.”
Drink-drive limits
The Association took the opportunity
in its submission to reiterate to the MPs
the view of the vast majority of members
that the permissible blood alcohol limit
for adult drivers should be reduced to 50
mg/100 ml of blood. “While we recognise
the issue is outside the scope of this Bill,
this remains an issue of serious concern
to members,” Mr O’Connor said.
Police bars
The Association reinforced to the
committee the compelling reasons why
the existing licensing exemption for
Police bars must be maintained. Mr
O’Connor pointed to the fact, wellknown amongst police, that officers who
drink at public bars are often subjected
to abuse and harassment. This puts
members unnecessarily at risk.
“Police need a safe place to socialise.
Officers receive abuse from some
members of the public on virtually a
daily basis while at work. Police must
retain their right to socialise off duty,
New Zealand Police Association
without enduring such abuse, through
the provision of Police bars,” Mr
O’Connor said.
Without the licensing exemption, most if
not all Police bars would be unsustainable
and need to close down, he explained.
Oversight by Police commanders,
backed by the Code of Conduct, meant
supervision of Police bars as responsible
drinking environments was “at least as
good” as most licensed premises, and
consequences of misbehaviour were
more severe because they could be
career-threatening, the Association’s
submission pointed out.
Missed opportunity
The Association’s submission cautioned
that the Bill may, in future years, be seen
as something of a missed opportunity to
tackle the ‘big issues’, because it does not
go far enough on purchase age, hours of
trade, and drink-drive limits.
However, Mr O’Connor reiterated the
Association’s view that we cannot expect
legislation to cure all society’s alcoholrelated ills. Until community attitudes to
excessive alcohol consumption change,
Police and other emergency services
will continue to be required to spend
a considerable amount of time and
resource picking up the pieces.
The Association’s complete submission
can be found on our website:
www.policeassn.org.nz
Otahuhu to get new Police station
By Deb Stringer, Communications Assistant
It’s not a joke that Otahuhu is set to receive a new Police
station, despite demolition day for the old station being
scheduled for April Fool’s Day. The old station was opened on 2 November 1965. It was the
headquarters for the Counties-Manukau West Area, servicing
Otahuhu, Mangere and Papatoetoe.
The Officer-in-charge, Inspector Chris De Wattignar, told
Police News of the changes the building had undergone since
his arrival.
Moving south
“When I commenced duty here in 1999, the 24-hour cellblock and the Otahuhu District Court next door were closing
up and moving south. That left the station housing just three
Q-car sections, Youth Aid, two Community Liaison Officers
(CLOs), two Intel officers and the Combined Investigation
Unit (CIU),” he said.
• OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW: The old
Otahuhu Police Station, first commissioned in 1965, was due to be
demolished as this issue went to press.
During the following decade, changes in the District’s structure
and Government New Initiatives (GNIs) filled the building
back to capacity.
“In November 2009, we added 33 constabulary staff to our
frontline, creating eight Public Safety Teams from the existing
Response Group.
Accommodation peaked
“This pushed us to peak accommodation levels and when our
first Neighbourhood Policing Team for Otahuhu started a few
months later, the only place that we could house them was at
Harlech House,” Mr De Wattignar said.
Planning for new premises commenced in 2007.
Inspector De Wattignar said the building’s new design
encompassed the functionalities of prevention, response,
investigations and resolutions.
The re-build is scheduled to be completed in April 2012,
with the new premises housing over 180 staff in an open-plan
environment across three levels.
Maximising parking
“The station will have a smaller footprint to maximise on-site
parking. It will include a cutting-edge public counter facility,
which will allow for a more open style of service delivery. The
flow of the ground level will allow for a comfortable and lessformal interaction between Police and the community,” he
said.
• Constables Laurie Brown (foreground), Duncan Rowson and Chris
McDowell take a last look at the Otahuhu Police Station before its
demolition.
Relieving Area Commander Inspector Michael Woods described
the station as the “gateway” to the Otahuhu township.
“It will be the first new building in the CBD (central business
district) for some years, which I believe will be a source of
pride for our community. It will bring together Police services
from around the area, while allowing us to retain stations at
Papatoetoe and Mangere.”
During construction of the new premises, service delivery will
continue from the 3rd floor of Harlech House, Papatoetoe CPC
and the Mangere Police Station.
April 2011
65
PoliceNews
The Voice of Police
A day in the life of the
AIRPORT
POLICE
Although everyone around them is checking in or checking out, members of the Christchurch Airport
Police, continue to keep their feet firmly on the ground.
Six million visitors a year flock through
Christchurch International Airport, so the
team of 14 constables and a sergeant have
their work cut out.
Officers are armed at all times and duties
can range from arresting drug smugglers to
co-ordinating major emergencies.
However, their main duties are to maintain
a strong police presence at the airport,
monitor Arrivals and Departures and
support Customs, Ministry of Agriculture
and Forestry, Aviation Security Services, Bio
Security, Immigration New Zealand, Fire and
Ambulance services and the airlines.
“We have a unique inter-agency relationship
with all the various stakeholders, and
maintaining these links is imperative in
making sure things run smoothly,” Sergeant
Brian Kench said.
In case of emergency
Team cohesiveness is especially important
with emergency situations.
• Monitoring arrivals and departures is an important aspect of policing at airports throughout
the country.
This was evident when 36-year-old knifewielding Asha Ali Abdille high-jacked a plane
travelling from Blenheim to Christchurch in
February 2008.
“I was driving to work when I received a
phone call about the incident.
“I rushed into work because I was in charge
of taking the initial action in any type of
major emergency, which meant I had to
liaise with the airline and airport, as well as
the fire and ambulance staff, and in these
types of situations you have to be able to
make split decisions quickly but effectively.
“Although the captain and first officer were
injured during the incident, the offender was
eventually overpowered by the airline crew
when the plane landed in Christchurch, just
before police boarded the plane,” Mr Kench
told Police News.
Walking the beat
While relationships between other interagencies is important, so too are the
66
April 2011
• Liaising with inter-agencies such as the New Zealand Fire Service is important especially in
emergency situations.
New Zealand Police Association
relationships airport officers form with other
airport staff.
“We have quite a number of staff working at
the airport and from time to time we have to
deal with shoplifters or irate customers.
“Any incident that occurs within the airport,
officers are expected to get to within two
minutes, so letting shop staff know they can
rely on us is important,” Mr Kench said.
Police staff needed to be available for the
general public too.
“People often ask us for directions or
enquire about lost property, so we dedicate
a lot of time to this,” he said.
Skills involved
Officers have to have an in-depth knowledge
of the Immigration Act.
“We are in charge of organising
deportations, so it is important to know the
ins and outs of the Act. Knowing the Act
means officers are able to act decisively,
minimising impacts that may have farreaching implications.
“A big part of our job is to be proactive as
opposed to reactive,” Mr Kench told Police
News.
Difficult situations
Although most travellers are a pleasure to
deal with, sometimes airport police have to
deal with difficult situations.
“From time to time we are asked to deal
with someone who is being unruly on a
flight, but most people are good because
they aren’t too keen on missing their flight.”
Joking about saying they have“a bomb in
their bag” is something people don’t take
seriously – but should, Mr Kench said.
“I don’t think people realise we do take
comments like this very seriously, so it really
isn’t worth someone making a joke about it,
as they could find themselves receiving some
unwanted attention,” he added.
National Security
Post September 11, security has increased
significantly.
“I have been working at the airport for the
past 18 years and during that time I have
seen a lot of changes.
“Not only have international security
measures tightened, domestic screening is
also part of the process these days,” he said.
Employment Relationship Problems and Personal
Grievances and what you should know about them
By Leeann Peden (Industrial Officer) and
Harley Dwyer (Legal Officer)
The term ‘Employment Relationship
Problem’ (“ERP”) is an all encompassing
term covering any problem that can
impact on the employment relationship
between employee and employer.
The problems can range from
contractual entitlements under the
Collective Agreements, to hours of work,
rostering arrangements, leave issues,
overpayments, to performance and staff
personality issues. An ERP is usually the
first formal step to encompassing and
raising personal grievance matters.
When a problem arises, members
should act early and in the first instance
gather all relevant information and then
raise and attempt to resolve the matter
themselves. Police have an ERP policy
which should be followed. However,
it is recommended that members also
seek the guidance and advice of their
Association Field Officer as to how to
approach and resolve the matter.
No limit on remedies
There is essentially no limit on the
remedies for resolving an ERP as any
resolution will be based on discussions
and agreement with Police as the
employer. Generally, however, the
primary remedy will be to fix or address
the problem raised to the satisfaction of
the employee. If necessary, settlement
may be achieved through mediation (a
free service offered by the Department
of Labour) and become a full and final
settlement.
Important note: As a general rule,
members should be mindful of the 90
day timeframe that applies to raising a
personal grievance. Members should
therefore note the date the ERP first arises
or comes to their attention and then
calculate 90 days from that date. During
this 90 day period the member should
attempt to resolve the ERP with Police.
If mediation assistance is unsuccessful in
resolving the ERP then the member may
raise the matter as a personal grievance
and seek resolution on that basis.
To ensure members protect their rights
they should seek the early advice and
guidance of their Association Field
Officer.
Personal grievance
A personal grievance will often be raised
where an ERP has not been satisfactorily
resolved or informal attempts to resolve
the issue are unsuccessful. In contrast
to an ERP, the term ‘personal grievance’
(“PG”) has a more limited application.
A Personal Grievance is defined by the
Employment Relations Act and requires:
• An unjustifiable dismissal;
• An unjustifiable action that disadvantages the employee;
• Discrimination;
• Sexual or racial harassment; or
• Duress over membership of a union
or other employee organisation.
90 day limit
A PG must be raised within 90 days of
the action giving rise to the grievance
occurring or coming to the employee’s
attention. This 90 day timeframe is
strict. Only in exceptional circumstances
will the courts allow a PG to be pursued
outside this timeframe. It is therefore
important to note that if an ERP is not
resolved within this 90 day period then
serious consideration should be given to
whether or not a PG should be raised.
To remedy a PG, an employee may
be required to attend mediation to
attempt a resolution. Remedies through
mediation are unlimited and controlled
by the parties. They can include
reinstatement or interim reinstatement
(if an employee is dismissed or removed
from employment), reimbursement of
monies owed, compensation for hurt
and humiliation, transfer, or any other
remedy that can be negotiated with the
employer.
Resolution timeframes
Once a PG is raised, generally it must be
resolved within three years, otherwise it
cannot be pursued through the courts
(unless in relation to wage arrears which
allows a six year window).
Members should note that once a matter
is elevated to the courts, the flexibility
to negotiate an acceptable outcome is
diminished considerably. The courts will
generally only consider reinstatement or
financial compensation.
Note: Members should raise and attempt
to resolve an ERP/PG early to ensure
strict timeframes are met. Court action
should be considered as a last resort.
The Association will only pursue matters
through the courts on behalf of members
after careful consideration is given to the
issues and then balanced alongside the
internal PG policy criteria.
April 2011
67
PoliceNews
The Voice of Police
The role of the Police Welfare Fund
By Pete Hayes, Manager, Police Welfare Fund
The Police Welfare Fund (PWF) is an integral part of the
structure of the Police Association group. Its role is to provide
a range of products and services to support members and their
families.
The Police Health Plan is one of the parts of the PWF that will
be well-known to members. Although a separate company,
Police Health Plan is owned and administered by the PWF.
Police Health Plan has over 32,000 members and is one of
the most highly-regarded health insurers in the country. It is
totally internally administered and operated.
Holiday homes
Police Welfare Fund holiday homes are extremely popular
with members. Currently, there are 57 throughout New Zealand. As funds become available more will be purchased in areas where there is demand. The homes are funded from business activities and their surpluses – such as from insurance
products and home loan facilities. .
Insurance
The Insurances division of the PWF administers several life
insurance schemes. (Sworn Group Life, which is the largest
group life scheme in New Zealand, non-sworn Group Life and
Police Life Insurance Extra, which provides additional life insurance to nearly 5,000 members and their spouses). The current underwriter of all of these life insurance products is AIA
New Zealand.
Insurances also provide a range of fire and general products
to 5,500 members. This includes, house, contents, motor and
pleasure craft insurance. The underwriter of these products
is Lumley Insurance NZ Ltd. We are one of Lumley’s largest customers and they are committed to providing excellent
service to all members. The recent earthquakes in Canterbury
demonstrated their commitment to our members.
A further benefit provided to members with full motor vehicle
insurance is full AA Roadside Assist - at no extra cost. This
initiative is unparalleled in the NZ insurance market.
Travel insurance is also available to members and their families when they travel overseas
Mortgage finance
The Police Welfare Fund also provides a Police Home Loan
package to all of its members through ANZ and the National
Bank. This package offers considerable benefits to our members in the form of interest rate discounts, assistance with legal
costs, banking and credit card discounts. The value of this
package is demonstrated by its continued growth.
The PWF also has an arrangement with Spicers Financial
Planning to provide financial planning advice to members.
They have extensive experience in this area and also have
in- depth knowledge of the Police superannuation schemes
including the Police Superannuation Scheme and the Government Superannuation Fund. Their services range from initial
advice through to in-depth long-term financial planning, all at
discounted rates to our members.
68
April 2011
Assistance
Since its inception many decades ago, the Welfare Fund has
been assisting members who have hit bumps in the road of
life. These often are relatively minor problems which may be
helped with counselling, a few days away and/or some financial support. However, they can also be serious issues that severely affect our members and their families.
Often these issues come to our notice through the various Police Staff Welfare Officers (PSWO) or Police Association activists throughout New Zealand. These matters are dealt with
in a confidential and supportive manner. Often members are
unaware of the support that is available, and the assistance
offered by the PWF compliments initiatives by the local activists, Police management and/or PSWOs.
Canterbury earthquakes
The physical and emotional toll of the devastation caused by
the recent earthquakes will affect Canterbury staff for many
years to come. Not only have many members lost their homes
and/or valuable possessions, several staff have lost loved ones.
The emotional toll of the on-going aftershocks is also likely to
affect staff and their family members.
To assist with the recovery, The NZ Police Association Charitable Trust has set aside considerable reserves and also received donations for distribution to those members affected.
Members who have or will leave Canterbury for respite can
apply for assistance for their costs. This will go some way
to assisting them to recover from this disaster. We are also
working closely with Lumley Insurance to ensure all of our
members insured with them get the best possible service and
appropriate settlement in the claims process.
Sadly, we recently received confirmation that one of our members, who was in the CTV building, has been killed. The PWF
will support the family through this time of great loss and
continue that support for many years to come…that is why
the Police Welfare Fund exists.
New Zealand Police Association
A message to our Canterbury members…
… who have been affected by the Christchurch earthquake on the 22nd of February
2011 and have their belongings and home insured with Police Fire & General Insurance
and/or have a Police Home Loan.
If your claim is likely to be smaller than the
Police Fire & General Insurance
amounts listed above:
We are here to help to ensure that things
Please contact the EQC to lodge your claim
are as straight-forward as possible for you
on 0800 652 333. If that line is busy you can
regarding any insurance claim you may have.
try 0800 508 765. Alternatively, complete an
A ‘fast track’ process for Lumley Insurance
online claim form on their website: www.eqc.
to manage your claims from the earthquake
govt.nz. Please advise EQC you are insured
has been established and we are here to
through Lumley Insurance firstly, then through
answer any questions you have about your
the Police Scheme.
cover, or your claim.
Vehicle & boat claims
How to make a claim
There is no EQC cover for vehicles or boats
Home and Contents Claims
and claims are handled directly by the
New claims
Lumley Police Welfare Fund Claims Team.
The Earthquake Commission (EQC) has
To make a claim on your vehicle or boat
advised that people with Home and
please call straight through to our Lumley
Contents claims should contact the EQC
Police Welfare Fund Claims Team on:
directly, rather than via their broker or
0800
110 088.
insurance company. Please advise EQC
If
you
are
still unsure of who to contact to
you are insured through Lumley Insurance
make
your
insurance claim, or would like to
firstly, then through the Police Scheme.
find out more about what cover you currently
The Earthquake Commission (EQC)
have in place, please call Lumley on
provides cover up to:
0800 110 088.
• $100,000 for your house; and
• $20,000 for your contents.
If your claim is likely to be more than
the above amounts and you have not
contacted the EQC yet, or if you require
urgent assistance, please contact the
Police Welfare Fund Claims Team at
Lumley Insurance on 0800 110 088.
They will prioritise your claim and help
you with the lodgement process.
Homes severely affected by
earthquake damage
Please contact Lumley immediately on
0800 110 088 if you have been severely
affected by earthquake damage and it is
unsafe to stay in your home.
Temporary accommodation
Members with Police Fire & General
contents insurance, have cover for the
cost of temporary accommodation for
12 months, or to the value of $20,000
whichever comes first. Any storage and
moving costs are included in the $20,000
amount. Please contact Lumley on 0800
110 088. Should members find that this
benefit has been exhausted, they should
look at their eligibility for the Governmentfunded Temporary Accommodation Benefit
on: http://www.quakeaccommodation.
govt.nz/apply
Existing claims with new damage
If you have an existing claim, but have new
damage, please contact Lumley on
0800 110 088.
Police Home Loan
If you have a Police Home Loan through
the Police Welfare Fund, with either
the ANZ or The National Bank, they are
providing the following support package
for all affected members:
• An option of suspending repayments on
all loans, including credit cards, for up to
three months (with interest capitalised);
• Waiver of fees associated with
restructuring finances considered
necessary due to earthquake impacts;
• Waiver of early withdrawal costs for term
deposits;
• Consideration of temporary adjustments
to members’ lending limits including
credit cards to assist them to cope
financially with unexpected costs arising
from the earthquake;
• Provision of a temporary interestfree overdraft to business banking,
commercial and rural members if
requested; and
• Operation of a shortened approval
process so that rapid decisions can be
made to assist you.
Application of the above measures will be
assessed on a case-by-case basis.
10.75% pa
A Police and Families Credit Union
personal loan can help you achieve
the things you want sooner.
Whether it’s a car, holiday, home
improvements or consolidating
your credit cards into one payment:
Police Credit Union is here to help.
Support for affected members
Members should not hesitate to contact
the Police Welfare Fund on 0800 500 122
if they need further help. Please check
the Police Association website for current
information on support for members:
www.policeassn.org.nz
April 2011
69
PoliceNews
The Voice of Police
The Ghost of Commissioners Past:
the legacy Peter Marshall inherits
N
ew Zealand Police has a new Commissioner. Peter Marshall commenced his planned three-year
tenure in the top job on 3 April, replacing Howard Broad.
As every member understands, policing is a
unique job delivering an incredibly wide range
of services in response to public needs and
cries for help. Every Commissioner also faces
a unique set of challenges as he or she does
the best job they can to lead an organisation
of more than 11,000 people to deliver those
services.
Peter Marshall will not have the luxury of time
to ‘get his feet under the desk’ as he faces
huge immediate challenges. These include
maintaining the on-going response to the
Christchurch earthquake while ensuring
‘business-as-usual’ policing across New
Zealand can continue to function.
At the same time, Commissioner Marshall
takes the reins when the Government is
pushing hard for ‘fiscal restraint’. Public sector
chief executives have been told in no uncertain
terms: ‘we expect you to do more with less.’ It
seems safe to assume Commissioner Marshall
has been given the same message.
How Commissioners respond to the unique
challenges of their tenure not only determines
how history remembers them, but also
shapes the Police for years to come. And as
philosopher George Santayana said, “Those
who do not learn from history are doomed to
repeat it.” So as Peter Marshall takes over
the top job, Police News casts a historian’s
eye over the challenges and achievements of
those who came before him. It is their legacy
he inherits.
Richard Macdonald
Commissioner 1994-1996
into Police. The challenges of integrating
the former TSS workforce and adopting a
greater road safety focus across Police, were
considerable.
The challenges were not without reward, as
the road toll dropped to its lowest (at the time)
in decades.
At the same time, sworn police numbers
were increasing as the National Government
completed its 1990 election promise to hire
another 900 officers.
However, while the ‘Banks 900’ additional
police officers had been delivered, they were
not fully funded for the overheads of the
additional staff – like vehicles, radios, training
requirements, and station space.
The more financially-minded John Luxton
had taken over as Minister of Police from
the more operationally-focused John Banks.
Police, led by Richard Macdonald, had to try
to find ways to balance the budgets, and the
squeeze started. ‘Civilianisation’ became the
new trend, with non-sworn staff numbers
increasing by 89% between 1990 and 1995.
Morale began to suffer and attrition – especially
amongst experienced staff – rose markedly.
During Macdonald’s tenure, networked
technology was beginning to emerge as the
‘way of the future’. Email was becoming
more common and the business possibilities
of the Internet were beginning to become
apparent. With technology came new ways of
working and drives for greater centralisation of
communications and information systems.
Against this backdrop, Macdonald signed
the initial contract for the infamous INCIS
(Integrated National Crime Information System)
in 1994. While INCIS ultimately proved to
be a $100 million mistake, other projects
commenced under Richard Macdonald
– such as co-location of Police and Fire
Communications Centres – have proved more
successful.
Peter Doone
Richard Macdonald became Police Commissioner not long after the 1992 merger
when the Traffic Safety Service was brought
70
April 2011
Commissioner 1996-2000
Peter Doone had been Deputy Commissioner
under Richard Macdonald. As he took the
reins, staffing had become a serious concern
for the Association and the public, with real
pressure coming on in many communities. At
one stage the frontline in Auckland was 10%
below strength.
At the same time, budget-driven squeezes
on operational equipment were resulting in
a steady stream of ‘bad news’ stories about
officers who couldn’t get access to vehicles,
radios, cell phones or other equipment to do
the job. Stories of Police cars without warrants
of fitness, desks without staplers, and stations
without toilet paper created headaches both
for the Commissioner and his Ministers of
Police, Jack Elder and then Clem Simich.
Commissioner Doone faced almost a perfect
storm of challenges.
The wheels were coming off the INCIS
project, as its costs ballooned with no sign
of completion. INCIS’s problems were in
part due to the huge fiscal restraint placed on
Police (and the public sector more generally) in
the mid-to late-1990s. Government, backed
by Treasury, had insisted on ‘efficiencies’ from
INCIS to be paid for by cutting 540 staff. The
money was being spent but the efficiencies
hadn’t eventuated, the staff couldn’t be cut
and budgets faced renewed pressure.
While the Police Association was warning
about the rising threat of methamphetamine,
cash-strapped Police Districts were scrapping
drug and organised crime squads to re-deploy
resources to cover the growing holes.
While the National-New Zealand First coalition,
elected in 1996, promised 500 more police,
the Government also sent in consultant Doug
Martin to identify savings in Police. The
1998 report, known as the Martin Review,
recommended 445 job cuts to deliver savings
of about $50 million.
Peter Doone battled hard against the Treasurydriven cost-cutting demands, arguing they
would harm policing. A compromise of
380 job cuts, for $35 million in savings,
New Zealand Police Association
was negotiated, based on outsourcing and
restructuring. PNHQ was down-sized to
become the Office of the Commissioner. The
four Police Regions were dismantled, 16
Districts became 12, and the new Service
Centres were set up. This followed an earlier
amalgamation of 29 Districts down to 16 in
1995.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner backed the
Policing 2000 project to look for creative
ways to police more effectively and efficiently,
without taking the knife to important services.
Despite Doone’s efforts, morale took a further
hit and showed again in attrition amongst
experienced sworn officers.
INCIS was finally abandoned in May 1999.
A Commission of Inquiry, later turned into a
Ministerial Inquiry by the incoming Labour
Government, was set up to investigate the
debacle.
Robert (‘Rob’ or ‘Robbie’)
Robinson
Commissioner 2000-2005
Rob Robinson’s appointment was seen by
many as an attempt to ‘steady the ship’ with a
cautious and reassuring hand after the turmoil
of the Doone years.
Sadly that was not to be. The shooting of
Steven Wallace in Waitara in 2000 sparked
an unjustified but highly-politicised attack on
Police conduct and integrity, which continued
to affect public and media attitudes for years
to follow, and gave impetus to the transition
from the Police Complaints Authority to the
Independent Police Conduct Authority.
In 2001, for the first time, a civilian Deputy
Commissioner was appointed. Lyn Provost
brought a better understanding and better
connections into the Wellington public sector.
This helped to mitigate and remedy some of
the fallout from the Doone years and INCIS
debacle.
Meanwhile, the legacy of cost-cutting and
budget cuts had yet to reach a head. The
loss of experience in the CIB, especially in
Auckland, reached crisis levels. Late 1990s
cuts to the vehicle budget resulted in a
fleet that by 2000 Commissioner Robinson
described as appalling and a health and safety
issue. $20 million was set aside to fix the
problem with 404 new Holdens purchased by
the end of 2001.
While the new Highway Patrol was established,
with a dedicated staff resource of 225 officers,
budgets generally remained virtually frozen
through the early part of Robinson’s tenure
and internal savings directives were issued
with regularity.
DNA and forensic services were cut, travel and
overtime was restricted and hiring freezes were
implemented. Ideas such as shutting the Royal
New Zealand Police College and outsourcing
training to polytechnics were mooted.
More seriously, the incoming Government
insisted the Police fund the 2000 pay
settlement from within its existing budget.
The Commissioner responded by cancelling
three large recruit wings from early 2001.
This contributed to huge staff shortages in
Auckland by the end of 2002, which prompted
Police to recruit from the UK in order to bring a
large number of experienced police on-stream
urgently through a new conversion course.
Staff shortages also led to public and political
pressure, such as controversy over more than
a thousand ‘unassigned files’ across Auckland,
which blew up in 2002. Police instigated
Operation Cavalry, rotating additional staff
into Counties-Manukau to try to get on top of
the backlog. However, the assistance did not
fundamentally address the shortages and the
issue blew up again in 2005.
Most tellingly, the disappearance of Iraena
Asher from Piha in October 2004, following
a string of high-profile 111 system failures,
revealed enormous problems stemming from
long-term under-investment in Police’s three
Communications Centres.
The Police Association had earlier issued
warnings that under-funding had created a
tragedy waiting to happen. An urgent inquiry
vindicated those warnings. The inquiry’s
report resulted in emergency funding of $45
million (outside the normal Budget process)
to prop the Communications Centres up and
begin to seriously address the shortfalls and
pressures affecting them.
At the same time, New Zealand’s burgeoning
methamphetamine problem began to reach
epidemic levels. The Police Association’s
warnings – ignored by Government and the
Police hierarchy during the late 1990s, as they
focused on cost-cutting and restructuring –
came to fruition in a way that could no longer
be ignored. In a classic example of shutting
the stable door after the horse had bolted, the
Government and Police scrambled to dedicate
resources to combat the problem.
Howard Broad
Commissioner 2006-2011
Howard Broad was the thirtieth Commissioner
of Police, and brought a new style of strategic
thinking to the top job.
As well as extensive uniform and CIB
experience, and a stint as a District
Commander, Commissioner Broad had been
involved in a range of strategic and planning
roles such as involvement in the Policing
2000 project. Consequently, he had spent
a lot of time exploring the ‘hows’ and ‘whys’
of policing tasks. He had also learnt ‘how
Wellington works’, and so how to effectively
engage on Police’s behalf with the politicians,
bureaucrats and central monitoring agencies
such as Treasury and the State Services
Commission, which have enormous influence
over Police funding.
Howard Broad’s early tenure coincided with
a brief period of almost unprecedented
prosperity.
Government revenues were
healthy, and the Labour-New Zealand First
coalition agreement signed in 2005 promised
1,000 new sworn staff (which quickly became
known as the ‘GNIs’, because they were
funded as a ‘Government New Initiative’
spend in Budget-speak). The Police budget
expanded, as long-ignored shortfalls and
pressure points were finally addressed.
Easing of the purse-strings meant more
initiatives could be implemented, such as the
Electronic Crime Laboratory, stab resistant
body armour (SRBA) roll-out, review of the
Police Act 1958 and implementation of the
new Policing Act 2008, and the Taser trial and
implementation.
As the Police Association ramped up its
warnings about the rise of organised crime,
in early 2008 the Government decided to
establish a new Organised and Financial Crime
Agency to improve Police focus on the issue.
Historical under-investment in CountiesManukau resulted in new staff being
dedicated to that District by the National
Government elected in 2008. That election,
April 2011
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PoliceNews
The Voice of Police
however, coincided with the seriousness and depth of the global financial
crisis beginning to hit home. Public sector budgets faced freezes or
cuts, and public sector departments faced widespread job losses.
With violent crime continuing to rise, and public demands for
reassurance, Police was spared savage cuts, but pressure has
nevertheless been firmly applied to find savings and efficiencies. A
number of reviews have been established seeking to identify ‘better
ways to do things’. Those reviews will deliver reports which the
new Commissioner, Peter Marshall, be charged with implementing.
Whether they mark a return to the morale-sapping pressures of the
late 1990s/early 2000s remains to be seen.
A surge in attacks on Police, and especially shootings of police
officers, threw the issue of Police access to firearms into stark relief.
The Commissioner, along with political leadership, showed clear
reluctance to move to full arming. However, in the face of the facts,
backed by a big swing in police and public opinion in favour of arming,
a report was called for in late 2010. Responding to this report will an
early task for the new Commissioner.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Broad faced serious challenges on another
front. When he was appointed, he told the media that his focus would
be on restoring the image of Police after a series of damaging incidents
– taken by many to be a reference to fallout from the Waitara shooting
and the Communications Centres failure.
Critical mess
I write this column a few weeks before you get to read it, so bear with me
if great events have overtaken us in the meantime.
As the world goes to Hell in a hand basket, I have got to say, it’s amazing
to see my colleagues and co-citizens in Christchurch soldiering on.
They’re true southerners…courageous, tireless and stoic. I’ve seen
elderly men and students pitching in side by side. I’ve seen a few local
troublemakers out digging sludge with their spades. I’ve also seen some
stuff I never want to see again - not least, the bottom of a long-drop.
The offers of support from near and far have been a great strength to
us. All the international help that was so quickly deployed deserves a
special mention. It was with heartfelt sadness that we sent our thoughts
home with the Japanese rescue team, who face a disaster much, much
greater than ours.
As police officers we’re trained in critical incident management. It’s
something we do every day on the job. But the scale of destruction from
this earthquake was unprecedented, and it’s rocked us in more ways than
one. At 12.51 pm on 22 February our managers were unexpectedly thrust
into the driving seat. They’ve had to make life-or-death decisions, while
remaining calm. They’ve had to delegate responsibilities in a clear and
concise fashion, while their own families and homes were threatened. I
guess it’s understandable that at times they’ve swerved - all the more likely
when everyone in the car is fighting for the steering wheel.
But that’s what managers are paid to do. Plot the course, delegate the
jobs, stay the distance. Instructions to the rank and file might get a bit
clearer now the rescue period is over, the recovery begins and locals
get some rest. Our thanks to all the out-of-town colleagues rostered in
to help, especially when you leave behind warm stable homes for the
pleasure of staying in tents in the park. Fortunately, the Fire Service
already has dibs on Rolleston Prison.
Brain drain
Looking on the bully board, I noticed the Serious Fraud Office is advertising
72
April 2011
This focus was rocked by the Commission of Inquiry into Police
Conduct, conducted by Dame Margaret Bazley following allegations of
historical sexual misconduct by police officers. The 2007 ‘COI Report’,
as it became known, created a mesh of reporting and monitoring
requirements which have tied up an enormous amount of Police focus
to this day.
The Operation Eight raids centred in the Bay of Plenty sparked storms
of media and public criticism, which have yet to be played out in court.
The new Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) also flexed its
independence, with repeated criticisms of police conduct and policy
across a range of issues, particularly fleeing drivers. An IPCA report on
handling of child abuse cases also challenged Police to act to protect
its reputation. The issue was initially raised by the Police Association
to draw attention, yet again, to a major risk being created by underfunding.
In a cruel irony, given Howard Broad’s desired focus for his tenure,
almost on the eve of his departure, a COI follow-up report by
PricewaterhouseCoopers sparked renewed attacks on the image of
Police. Despite that, Commissioner Broad leaves for his successor a
Police service which is – in a historical sense – relatively healthy and in
good heart, albeit poised at the edge of some very serious challenges.
How Peter Marshall responds to those challenges, only time will tell.
for staff to assist with their investigations. They’re offering secondments
for Ds and DSs for up to a year’s duration. Hang on a minute. Bombay
North have just got their heads above water with their staffing, and now
they’re being asked to lose qualified and capable employees to another
enforcement agency? Soon we’ll have no-one left.
Surely the SFO can find suitably qualified staff in the private sector. But
maybe the job’s not that attractive to good investigators. From what I’ve
seen of the media releases it looks like they don’t have the resources for
in-depth investigation, and the ones they do tackle get the once-overlightly treatment. This is not the meaty stuff those feds of ours like to get
their teeth into.
Certainly some colleagues will take up the offer - either for the change,
the experience or the money. That’s all fair enough but I just hope they
remember to come back. Me, I’d take the job just to get a few good nights
sleep, especially if it’s not in Christchurch. But until my investigation
skills extend beyond catching the local shop assistant skimming the top
off the till takings, I’ll stay here in the Cordon City.
Slash and burn
So Uncle Bill has got his way with 5% cuts across the board, to all
Districts. I’m confused as to whether the 22nd of February affects this
decision.
With no frontline staff to spare, its back office support staff and front
counter employees that will go...or should I say won’t be replaced. Which
will mean, of course, that sworn staff will be back indoors typing, filing
and filling in forms at the front counter. May as well not have the extra
frontline staff after all, but that’s not how the people at the Castle will
spin it.
I’m already hearing that some of our CJSU (Criminal Justice Support
Unit) staff are stretched and can’t get through their workload, all because
the College has let its intakes run down. CJSU staff are being told that
rather than give the files back to the frontline staff to complete for a
defended hearing, the charges will be withdrawn. Say, what? Tossing in
all the hard work our boys and girls have done to get the baddie to court,
because the support units can’t keep up? Sounds like bad management
to me.
All in a Rugby World Cup year too. It’s a bloody shame that my home
town will miss out on it’s share of the
fun, but looking on the bright side that’s one less job for us.
Keep safe.
SPECIAL LIFTOUT
New Zealand Police Association
In memory of all those who lost their lives as a result
of the Canterbury earthquake of 22 February 2011
Timshel
Cold is the water
It freezes your already cold mind
Already cold, cold mind
And death is at your doorstep
And it will steal your innocence
But it will not steal your substance
But you are not alone in this
And you are not alone in this
As brothers we will stand and we’ll hold your hand
Hold your hand
And you are the mother
The mother of your baby child
The one to whom you gave life
And you have your choices
And these are what make man great
His ladder to the stars
But you are not alone in this
And you are not alone in this
As brothers we will stand and we’ll hold your hand
Hold your hand
And I will tell the night
Whisper, “Lose your sight”
But I can’t move the mountains for you
Cold is the water
It freezes your already cold mind
Already cold, cold mind
And death is at your doorstep
And it will steal your innocence
But it will not steal your substance
But you are not alone in this
And you are not alone in this
As brothers we will stand and we’ll hold your hand
Hold your hand
And you are the mother
The mother of your baby child
The one to whom you gave life
And you have your choices
And these are what make man great
His ladder to the stars
But you are not alone in this
And you are not alone in this
As brothers we will stand and we’ll hold your hand
Hold your hand
And I will tell the night
Whisper, “Lose your sight”
But I can’t move the mountains for you
- Lyrics by Mumford and Son.
April 2011
73
PoliceNews
The Voice of Police
A long day out on the cordon…
By Steve Plowman, Editor, Police News
Constables Mark Brinsdon from Hawke’s
Bay and Richard Downes from Gisborne are
standing on a Bealey Avenue cordon 10
days after the killer quake.
Normally, I’d describe it as a hot, sunny day
in Canterbury.The sun is so fierce at midday
that it feels like we are standing in the
middle of the Sahara Desert. It is predicted
to rise to 27 degrees Celsius. The car’s
thermometer already says 30. Think Betty
Crocker. Think baking.
Mark and Richard have come to help with
a 24/7 cordon around a one square mile
block of the famed four avenues. Alongside
Mark and Richard, checking vehicles and
answering inquiries from the public, are Vili
Johnston and Tyrone “Eddie” Edwards from
the NZ Army’s Burnham Military Camp.
Food
Beyond them, on the grass verge of a
damaged petrol station, there are about a
dozen packs – supplies of food and water
brought in to sustain them through long
shifts. They are working 12-15 hours now
but when they arrived they worked a 20 hour
stint on the first day and 16 hours on the
second and then a couple of 15 hour stints
for good measure. They readily admit that
it’s hard yakker but rewarding in being able
to assist in New Zealand’s worst natural
disaster.
“It’s a huge logistical nightmare down here,”
Mark tells me. “But they’re doing a great
job, especially under difficult circumstances
within the CBD.”
Lots of the food being brought in is baking,
biscuits and chocolate. While the lads are
very appreciative of a community, which
has thought to provide for them when they
are suffering so badly themselves, they are,
nevertheless, hanging out for proper meals
at Lincoln University by day’s end. “I’ve
been here five days and I reckon I’ve put on
five kilos,” Mark tells me.
He has never seen anything that “remotely
resembles this” in a decade of policing.
Training
Vili and Tyrone say this is what they were
trained to do. “It’s a chance to put your
training into effect for your own community,”
Tyrone says.
It’s a hive of activity and the four are kept
constantly busy dealing with local residents
and contractors trying to get into the cordon.
Despite long shifts, they are amazingly
polite and professional in their interaction
with members of the public – some of
whom are clearly under great stress. The
Army boys call me “Sir”. I tell them I’m still
waiting for the knighthood – and it may
be a while coming. There is good natured
banter and humour here amongst the
cordon ‘troops’ but over-riding it all is a line
of professionalism that shines through. The
Army boys refer to the police officers as
“Boss”.
Richard Downes is from Gisborne. He
has a partner, a three-year-old son and a
21-year-old stepdaughter at home and one
of the highlights of his day on the frontline
is hearing his partner and young son on
the phone. “They know why we’re here but
they can’t help but worry when they hear of
aftershocks.”
Philosophical
Richard says circumstances like he now
finds himself in are what policing is all
about. “This is what you sign on for,
reaching out to people and helping your
community out.” Mark and Richard aren’t
worried about the long shifts. They start at 6
a.m. and they are meant to be relieved by 8
p.m. but sometimes that relief doesn’t arrive
until 9 p.m. They both remain philosophical
in the face of the community’s tragedy.
“There are lot of people who haven’t got
showers, running water or hot food and at
Lincoln University, where we are staying, we
have. We are being well looked after and are
blessed by comparison to so many,” Richard
says.
• Constable Richard Downes from Gisborne talks to a contractor at a cordon along Bealey Avenue.
74
April 2011
By the time they have had a shower,
changed clothes and had a feed it is
usually around 10.30 p.m. before they
hit the scratcher. Then they do it all again
tomorrow. This is typical of so many people
here who are doing so much valuable work
in so many diverse ways. Think Groundhog
Day at the OK Corral with a hellhole of
New Zealand Police Association
liquefaction dust rising up with the Noreaster
from the streets of just about every suburb
here. The only blessing is that Wyatt
Earp isn’t shooting at you in the noon day
sun. The only thing that’s missing is the
tumbleweed and I half pie expect some of
that to come skating along any moment.
Requests
Richard is talking to a young woman who is
a member of the NZ junior bowls team and
she is making a heartfelt plea to be allowed
to go to her house and get her bowls. She
is turned away. “At the end of the day it’s
a matter of safety and while we’d like to
help her it’s just not safe,” Richard says in
explanation.
Some contractors are a bit tetchy. They too
have been doing long hours. They can’t
understand why they could get through the
cordon yesterday but are being refused entry
today. The Grand Chancellor Hotel, which
is doing a pretty fair impersonation of the
famed Leaning Tower of Pisa, is near where
the contractor wants to go. He is told it is too
dangerous. He nods his understanding.
Most people who approach the cordon and
are refused entry tend to take it in their
stride. Richard explains: “Provided you tell
them the truth and show a bit of empathy for
their plight, then most are fine.
Understanding
“Lots of people come up and say ‘but my
building has been green stickered and so it
should be ok for me to go and get my stuff’
– but when you explain to them that they
• Constable Mark Brinsdon from the Hawke’s Bay advises a concerned local woman.
could get crushed by the building next door
to theirs, then they get it.”
Some of the contractors are going from
cordon to cordon trying to gain access.
“They get a bit ropey but as the situation is
changing from hour to hour in the CBD we
are governed by what we are being told from
inside the cordon,” Richard says.
He has been in the central city. “It’s utter
devastation,” he says.
This is his first visit to Christchurch. “On
my first day here I realised what a beautiful
place this was but it looks as if someone has
just stamped their foot in the middle of the
city. It’s just heartbreaking,” he adds.
Realisation
“You’d think the epicentre was in the central
city. Before I left I was looking at the images
on the television and I was thinking ‘Oh
that’s terrible’. Then I got here and in the
first street I went into in the city I thought
‘Oh yes this is really bad.’ Then I turned
another corner and thought ‘this is terrible’
and then another, and I remember thinking
‘can this get any worse?’ and you keep
turning corners and then the streets are
actually non-existent because the buildings
have just fallen in from both sides,” he says.
His last words to me are apt. “I don’t have
the words or vocabulary to explain what I
have seen. Soon we get to go home to our
loved ones and our friends and our running
water. It certainly makes you appreciate
what you’ve got, the necessities you have
around you daily and your loved ones. The
things we sometimes take so much for
granted.”
Christchurch officers expect significant rise in ‘domestics’
Police in Christchurch told the Police News that they fear a
significant rise in domestic violence and alcohol-related crimes in
the wake of the devastating quake of 22 February.
With residents struggling to cope, many have turned to drink as a
coping mechanism.
One of the things I noticed, as I travelled around Christchurch in
the week following the horrific quake, was the unusual sight of
long queues outside liquor outlets. Some outlets had large signs
blatantly advertising cheap liquor in the days following the quake.
There were plenty of takers. Just out of South Brighton, I noticed
one outlet had queues nearly as long as that for water.
Everywhere I went, police were dealing with locals with compassion
and understanding. Locals had nothing but praise for their
efforts. While the tragedy of the quake is enormous, so too is the
mana being gained by dedicated police officers, who are seeing
communities through New Zealand’s darkest days.
Offenders
There were of course those in the community who sought to take
advantage of others during the crisis. The usual suspects and
toerags. People who would steal from their own grandmother.
Clearly people were looking to drown their sorrows.
Police responded by sending members of the Armed Offenders
Squad (AOS) in to patrol the streets of Christchurch to keep looters
at bay.
No surprise
Local police officers said they were not the least bit surprised.
“The ongoing aftershocks are rattling nerves and many of these
people see drinking as a salve to their problems,” one officer
said.
A member of the Armed Offenders Squad told Police News:
Basically, we’re just doing general duties to keep any opportunists
at bay but we are carrying our usual kit while we’re doing it.” Their
usual kit included 9 mm Glocks on their hips. “We’re just here to
keep people who may be vulnerable safe,” he said.
- Steve Plowman.
April 2011
75
PoliceNews
The Voice of Police
Family Liaison Unit has the daunting task of
giving families the most tragic of news
By Jonathan Howe (Manawatu Standard)
A handshake and supportive words from
a father whose son’s body lies under the
wreckage of a Christchurch building helped
inspire Inspector Mark Harrison as he dealt
with grieving families of earthquake victims.
Mr Harrison is the officer-in-charge of the
Family Liaison Unit, which acted as the link
between authorities and the families of people
reported missing after the 6.3 magnitude
earthquake.
The former Palmerston North Rural Area
Commander was chosen because of his work
with the families of the 29 men killed in the
Pike River Mine disaster last November.
His team has a daunting task.
Daily meetings
Mr Harrison has been holding daily meetings
with family members, and has often had to
address crowds of between 500 and 600
people.
he said. “It’s about them having someone
who they can go to for support; it’s someone
who they know, someone who they trust.
“I was dealing with every emotion that you
would expect,” he said.
Mr Harrison said the rewarding part of the job
was the knowledge that he had done the best
he could to help.
“With that came some who were crying and
who were beside themselves, along with
people who wanted to be angry at someone
and that anger was directed at me,” he said.
Many wanted answers Mr Harrison was in no
position to provide, such as why the buildings
collapsed.
Much-needed support
“It’s important that we are available to them,”
“So when we do have to give them the bad
news, it can make it easier.”
“Down in Christchurch there is one guy
whose son is in one of the buildings and
at the end of every meeting he comes and
shakes your hand and says ‘you’re doing a
good job’.
“You can sit down at the end of the day and
know that you’ve done the right thing by
these people,” Mr Harrison said.
Dedicated officers
Each family has its own dedicated officer,
though a single officer can be dealing with up
to seven families. Mr Harrison said he sought
officers with backgrounds in dealing with grief
and family support.
“I suppose when you look at it all, that’s why
we joined the Police - because we all give
a damn. We’ve all knocked on a door at 2
a.m. in the morning and given a family some
terrible news about an accident.”
The team was constantly debriefed and
officers could speak with counsellors and
chaplains.
Backroom staff
did their part
• Palmerston North Rural Area Commander Mark Harrison, who was in charge of the Family
Liaison Unit, which was responsible for dealing with grieving families after the earthquake
in Christchurch.
- Photo courtesy of The Waikato Times/Chris Hillcock.
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April 2011
The Police operation that swung into
action around the country, not just in
Christchurch, was epitomised at Central
Police District Headquarters in Palmerston
North. There, a team of non-constabulary
staff ran the operation of feeding details of
missing persons back to Christchurch.
The backroom staff worked long hours
entering details of the missing so that they
could be co-ordinated in Christchurch. The
uncertainty that many people around the
country felt about loved ones was greatly
alleviated by this dedicated team.
This dedication to the Police effort in
general was mirrored throughout the
country by non-constabulary staff at
various locations doing their utmost to
offer crucial support in the smooth running
of a very difficult operation.
New Zealand Police Association
• REMEMBERING: Police staff from New Zealand and Australia joined their colleagues from other services to observe the two minutes silence to
remember those who died in the tragedy.
• SUPPORT: Messages of support flooded in to buoy emergency
workers spirits during the harrowing days after the quake struck.
• ALL HANDS ON DECK: The morning melee at Christchurch
Central as cars are manned and operations directed for another
long day at the coalface.
• NZ Police Association President Greg
O’Connor with Australian Prime Minister
Julia Gillard after presenting her with a Police
Remembrance Pin. To Mr O’Connor’s left are
Superintendent Brett Kane, Superintendent
Sam Hoyle and Canterbury District
Commander Dave Cliff (partly obscured).
- Photos courtesy of Christchurch P{olice
Photography Section.
April 2011
77
PoliceNews
The Voice of Police
New Brighton police stretched but giving their
very best for a community in dire straits
By Steve Plowman, Editor, Police News
Senior Sergeant Roy Appley is standing in
the control room at New Brighton Police
Station on his day off. He is here for a
meeting with out-of-town partners. He says
he needs to be here in person to thank them
for their tremendous work.
Since the quake on 22 February, Roy has
spearheaded a collaborative management
team that is bringing aid to the Eastern
suburbs of Christchurch, where things are
dire indeed. The Eastern suburbs comprise
New Brighton, Southshore, Northbeach,
Parklands, Burwood, Avondale, Bexley,
Dallington and Aranui suburbs.
Ten thousand households are without power
in the area with some 30,000 residents
directly affected.The biggest concern is
the infrastructure damage to water and
sewerage pipes affecting an estimated
60,000 residents. The roads are severely
damaged. It takes hours to cover relatively
short distances. There is significant concern
about an outbreak of water-borne diseases.
To this end, every person who visits the
station has to sanitize their hands at the
door.
Roading repairs
Road crews are working feverishly from
dawn until late into the night to effect
repairs. To say the job facing them is of
herculean proportions is an understatement.
The dust from liquefaction is an added threat
to health – containing as it does sewage,
urea and other dangerous elements.
Core services such as banks, supermarkets,
pharmacies, service stations and
Government social agencies are all closed.
New Brighton business activity is effectively
non-existent and if residents want anything
near normal services they have to travel to
Linwood or Shirley to get them.
Long queues
As I look out the window of the police station
I see long queues of 1,500 locals a day
lining up at the Roy Stokes Hall for the bare
necessities. Water has become gold. But the
queues are orderly and thanks to Roy and
the operation that he has put in place, things
are running like clockwork. Roy spent the
first day of the quake in the CBD but is back
on home turf now.
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April 2011
You get the impression of a man not easily
flustered as he goes between staff members
issuing instructions on how things can work
better and checking on individual officers
and how they are doing. Speak to locals and
they call Roy Appley a “hero”.
Liaison
Roy is working closely with a huge range of
people. The New South Wales Police have
assigned 122 officers and they are doing
a sterling job out here where the people
are feeling as ravaged as the broken earth
beneath their feet. They are not broken
but with every aftershock you can see the
tension in every fibre of their being go up a
notch.
The Aussies are being run out of central but
are working alongside the local cops – their
numbers go up and down like the proverbial
yoyo depending on needs elsewhere. So
do everyone’s emotions with each nasty
aftershock.
Frayed nerves
Tempers sometimes fray – hardly surprising,
given the extraordinary circumstances,
which prevail for so many people in the east.
It requires extraordinary commitment. The
police at New Brighton like Simon Miller,
who has come in from his usual traffic
duties to be everyone’s “gofer”, Constable
Bruce Gatley (Traffic) and Constable Peter
Campbell (Youth Aid), who has come in
despite his own house being destroyed,
are typical of the resolve and commitment
from officers who are working long hours
to keep their community safe and its spirits
up. Constable Sarah Blair, a local cop, and
Detective Bruce Lomax from District HQ, are
out on patrol in Aranui and there are many
others out there keeping the community safe
and informed.
Roy is the first to tell you that these
things are happening via a collaborative
management team, who have been working
in close partnership to formulate an
immediate response to New Zealand’s worst
natural disaster.
Roy is the consummate juggler – and I
suspect diplomat. He is engaged with Civil
Defence, the distribution centre, local MP
Lianne Dalziel, the Army, Maori wardens,
local Crimewatch patrols, health workers,
Grace Vineyard Church co-ordinators,
the Salvation Army and many other
organisations – people he says who “have a
heart for New Brighton”.
They are pivotal to the response.
Fullsome praise
Roy is full in his praise for the Rangiora
Earthquake Express Group, which has
worked tirelessly to bring much-needed
supplies to the eastern suburbs. He also has
words of thanks for the Police Association
and its response. “The welfare things that
have been put in place for police officers by
the Association have been tremendous,” he
says.
“The offer of the holiday homes and the
five days off will be very welcome for staff
that are in need of some respite. The
assistance of the Welfare Officers and other
Association staff have been most welcome.”
The Association has set up a welfare base
in the Christchurch holiday homes and is
co-ordinating its own welfare response for
officers.
Things have returned to the basics here,
not only for those outside the station who
are suffering the deprivations of damaged
homes, a scarcity of water, no sanitation
and no power – but also within the station
where things develop by the hour and where
normal reports and taskings have become
rudimentary to fit the situation.
The name of the game is ‘reassurance
policing’. It has been the catchphrase for all
police staff.
Army response
In this regard, the back-up of the Army has
been paramount. “I cannot say enough
about their assistance to us. They have been
there when we have needed them, without
fail, to get things done,” Roy tells me. This
has especially been so during routine night
patrols, where the Army personnel have
been invaluable in giving valuable downtime
to stretched Police resources.
A contingent of Auckland police, the New
South Wales officers and the Army have all
combined to give night time patrol coverage.
The Army’s specialist night equipment has
been worth its weight in gold. Roy says
his latest overnight audit is encouraging.
“Anecdotally, I’m pretty satisfied that we are
getting to the 1C (suspicious activity) events
quite quickly,” he says.
New Zealand Police Association
• Officers from New South Wales Police gathered to sing “We call
Australia home” at lunchtime by the New Brighton pier.
• ANZAC SPIRIT: Inspector Craig James and Senior Sergeant Dean La
Greca were working in New Brighton, one of the worst-affected areas.
The 122-strong contingent from New South Wales were a great back
up to local police in an area where there was no power, sanitation or
water in many homes for up to two weeks after the quake.
• MESSAGE OF HOPE: A chalk message on a wall next to a totally
destroyed building in New Brighton sends out a message of hope:
“Cantabrians will prevail. Kia Kaha”. (Kia Kaha is Maori for “be
forever strong”).
Blue lights of reassurance
I have experienced that sense of
reassurance first hand. My son-in-law
and I have been staying at my sister-inlaw’s abandoned house in South Brighton.
Driving home at 11 p.m. last night, after
a day on the end of a shovel digging out
putrid liquefaction over in Richmond, I am
buoyed by the sight of an I-car in the pitch
dark behind me with a dog van in close
attendance. As I pull over to let them pass,
I imagine a call of “burglars on” as the blue
lights flash into the distance.
are running regular patrols in these areas.
“It’s of little surprise given the level of
damage down there,” he explains. “What’s
pleasing though is that only a relatively low
number of burglaries have been reported. While I accept that many residents are away
from their homes, I am quietly confident that
our high visibility tactics have been paying
dividends for us,” he says.
Reassurance indeed, in the Twilight Zone
that has temporarily become my life.
Roy is immensely proud of his small team
and that comes through loud and clear.
There are also a myriad of volunteers, like
Lorraine Miller, Simon’s wife, who has
come down to help out with making cups
of tea and distributing baking and other
food to weary officers. A couple of massage
therapists have volunteered their services
and are kept busy.
Roy says his family and home are okay and
he is immensely thankful for that. “What that
means is that if you know they are okay you
can do a bit more for others less fortunate.”
“Quite a number of my staff have houses
that are completely wrecked and some are
still in recovery mode from the first quake
in September and their houses were miles
away from being fixed and this came on top
of that,” he adds. Spike in offending
In Aranui and Burwood there have been
spikes in criminal activity. Roy and his team
Logistically, the task is huge. Roy and his
team are bringing out their A game. The
Beatles would be proud – they are getting by
with a little help from their friends.
“It’s humbling to see so many people rally
together and work so tirelessly in such
terrible times,” Roy says.
Community response
Equally, the community are responding
well and are clearly reassured by the
police presence they are seeing. There is a
constant stream of inquiries to be answered
and both the New South Wales officers and
the locals are receiving warm handshakes
from an appreciative community.
Police here are acutely aware of the social
shifts that are already in train. With queues
at liquor outlets rivaling those seeking water,
it is clear there may be huge ongoing issues
around alcohol abuse, domestic violence
and mental health issues.
As always, local cops will be tasked with
picking up the pieces – but for now, that is
something for the future and, thankfully, the
future is only coming one day at a time.
I get the impression that resources are
stretched but coping well thanks to an
amazing and tireless police spirit. But all the
staff I speak to at New Brighton are under
no illusion as to the challenges of the future.
What will happen when the Aussies and
others go home is another dilemma entirely.
This is when that sense of and reliance on
community spirit will be critical for policing.
Hopefully, the goodwill that Roy Appley and
his hard working team at New Brighton are
now sowing, to keep their community safe
and its spirits up, will be reciprocated in kind.
April 2011
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PoliceNews
The Voice of Police
• WHEN WATER IS GOLD: Long queues were the order of the day as locals queued for much-needed fresh water at the welfare centre opposite
the New Brighton Police Station. NSW Police were on hand to maintain order.
• A father and son fill their water containers in New Brighton. With
no sanitation, no power and no water supplies to their houses,
residents in the Eastern suburbs of Christchurch were left to rely on
welfare centres for vital supplies of food and water.
• Constable Simon Miller prepares to distribute donated goods to
workers in the New Brighton Police Station.
• An entire building that was reduced to rubble, in just 10 seconds of
quake violence, in hard hit New Brighton.
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April 2011
• Constable Peter Campbell (left), a Youth Aid Officer in New
Brighton, whose home was totally destroyed but yet carried on
his policing duties each day, talks to Police Association Southern
District Field Officer Dave Steel and Industrial officer Alice
O’Connor.
New Zealand Police Association
South Comms staff answer the
call despite chaos all around them
By Deb Stringer, Communications Assistant
Southern Police Communications staff were
a sea of calm in the midst of chaos following
the 6.3 earthquake that hit Christchurch on
22 February.
Staff watched as lockers, cabinets and
other items were crashing down around
them; however, within seconds of the
quake passing, staff were back up from
underneath their desks call-taking and
dispatching.
They logged more than 1,000 jobs in the
first two hours following the quake, despite
other staff in their building being evacuated.
“Once I had done a quick analysis of the
building to make sure it was safe, and the
generator had kicked in, we were back
doing what we had to do,” Centre Manager
for the New Zealand Police Southern
Communications Centre, Inspector Kieran
Kortegast told Police News.
“Luckily our building did what it was supposed
to do and moved like a tree in the breeze.
However, we did have quite a bit of liquefaction
surrounding it following the quake,” he added.
Proud moments
Inspector Kortegast said he was extremely
proud of how his staff “stepped up to the
plate” during the city’s greatest crisis.
“I salute the many, many South Comms staff
that fronted up, putting our city and others
before themselves. For the rest of their life
they will be able to look back on their efforts
and their contribution with great pride.”
quake hit, they took on all our calls for the
next 10 days so we could clear the backlog
of all the jobs which had been lodged and
so we could concentrate on the earthquake
operation.
He said nearly a third of his staff lived in the
eastern suburbs and many returned to houses
that were seriously compromised or destroyed
during the quake.
“This gave us time to prioritise our jobs,
and make sure we were getting to the most
urgent as soon as possible.
Despite this, the vast majority kept coming
back to work to do their bit.
Dedication
“We had one dispatcher who had recently
resigned to start her recruit course at the
Police College, who had been in Cashel Mall
when the quake hit.
“Once the quake was over, she rushed
straight in to work to do all she could. She
ended up working for us the rest of the week,
before flying out to the Police College to start
her course,” he said.
Mr Kortegast said this was just one example
of the many members of staff whose
dedication to their job kept the centre’s
operations running smoothly.
Other Comms Centres
He paid tribute to the North and Central
Communications teams.
“They were fantastic. A few hours after the
“We were also able to reassign six
dispatchers, to work on channels dealing
with the operation, some dedicated to the
evacuations, some to the Central CBD Red
Zone and the reassurance patrols, as well
as Canterbury BAU work.”
The aftermath
Three weeks on from the quake, the South
Comms Manager said the dynamics of the
calls they received had changed.
Staff were no longer dealing with calls
related to drunk and disorderly behaviour
in the city. The vast majority of calls now
coming in were from members of the public
trying to get their cars out of the city.
“We don’t know exactly how many there
are, maybe around 4,000 to 5,000, so the
process for that is going to take weeks.
“We are getting back to a normal
Christchurch, it’s just a different normal,
with different needs,” he told Police News.
First quake donations now being distributed
The devastating earthquake of 22 February
took a terrible toll in lives, and caused
widespread destruction.
Those who survived the earthquake are now
facing many months - if not years - before
their lives return to anything resembling the
‘normality’ most of us take for granted.
Both constabulary police officers and Police
employees leapt into action immediately
following the earthquake, to protect their
communities and lead the rescue and
recovery effort. However, many of those
same Police staff also suffered major losses
of their own.
As the intense demands of the immediate
aftermath recede, the realities and financial
stress of those losses is beginning to hit
home.
Relief fund established
The Police Association moved quickly to
establish a fund through the New Zealand
Police Association Charitable Trust to provide
assistance to Police staff and their families
affected by the earthquake. Members, and
others - including our overseas colleagues
from Australia, the UK, and further afield
- have shown extraordinary generosity as
donations have steadily flowed into the fund.
Donated funds are now being distributed to
affected Police employees and constabulary
employees.
The first grants are being made, on
application, where an employee has incurred
additional costs in taking themselves and or
their immediate family outside of Christchurch
for temporary relief from the effects of the
quake and subsequent aftershocks.
Immediate assistance
While the grants are small in the context
of the huge losses and disruption suffered
by members, they are able to offer some
immediate assistance in providing respite,
however temporary, from the hardship now
faced by so many in Canterbury.
As the situation develops in Christchurch,
other needs will inevitably become apparent,
and the Association will endeavour to
assist in meeting them from both donations
made to the Police Association Chartable
Trust and also potentially through grants
from the Welfare Fund, depending on the
circumstances.
Any reader wishing to make a donation for
affected Police and their families can find
details of how to do so on our website:
www.policeassn.org.nz and looking
under the “Events” heading for the
“Christchurch earthquake” link.
April 2011
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PoliceNews
The Voice of Police
Life in Lyttelton but not as we know it
I am driving towards the Lyttelton Road
Tunnel. The gloom at the end of the day is
starting to descend.
The first thing I notice as I approach the
entrance, apart from the ‘lollipop’ man with
the “Stop” sign, is that the inquiries box,
50 metres short of the entrance, where this
bloke might otherwise sit, is gone. Totalled.
Next, I notice the 30 kph sign. Yeah right!
The lollipop man waves me on. I am in the
tunnel and, instinctively, my foot is getting
heavier on the gas pedal the further I get
into the gloom. There have already been
seven aftershocks today and there is no way
I am dying in here in a fireball behind the
large petrol tanker 50 metres in front. This is
not the way I want to go out.
I have driven through this tunnel many
times on my visits to family and friends in
Canterbury. I think this is the first time I have
ever considered that the tunnel could fall on
me. Quakes play strange tricks with your
mind.
the biblical Passover cross for some reason
– the one that supposedly spared the Jews
when the Romans came to kill. But Rome
has fallen here and there has been no
Passover from this quake’s effects.
Broken dreams lie amongst the ruins.
A lump comes to my throat. I take some
deep breaths.
The locals can’t drown their sorrows here,
or get a feed for that matter. All the cafes
are broken. The pubs shattered. Some may
never serve another meal, pull another pint.
But stranger things have happened. Think
Napier 1931.
Burglary
Last night, someone broke into Freeman’s
Restaurant under the cover of darkness and
burgled the place. The offender crawled
under the rubble to try and steal the till and
a stereo but gave up after managing to
move them just a few feet. Points for bravery
I’m thinking - given the aftershocks that
are rocking the town with monotonous and
unnerving regularity.
I find myself thinking: Oh that a brick had
fallen on the scumbag from a great height. I
don’t normally think like that but sometimes
a bit of instant karma wouldn’t go amiss in
such circumstances. I find myself feeling
angry that there are lowlifes who would see
such devastation as a golden opportunity to
take advantage of the terrible misfortunes
of others. I am glad to hear later that night
that one of the offenders who tried to
steal life saving generators from inside the
cordon around the CBD got handed the
maximum seven-year sentence. So are
Wreckage
On the other side is a wrecked town. The
theatre is munted – the new term being
used around Christchurch to describe
devastation on a wide scale. It seems
appropriate and it saves using an expletive
I guess.
The Volcano Café is torn asunder and The
Plunket rooms, just across from the Police
Station, have taken a big hit. So have many
of the buildings in town. The deli lies in
ruins on the corner and many of the shops
I visited last Christmas are in a similar state
of undress. I go down towards the port and
instinctively walk towards the Tin Palace
where my partner and I had spoken to the
new owners – two weeks after they had set
up shop. I remember a lovely young couple
from the UK - so full of hopes and dreams
for their fledgling business.
Broken dreams
On one side of their little shop is total ruin
– not a brick standing. A huge building
has disintegrated and a wall of jagged
bricks hangs perilously close to their little
corrugated iron-sided shop. On the other
side, there is severe damage to another old
brick building. Their shop is still standing
with its display dresses draped on headless
mannequins in the window. As I draw to
the fence at the front, I notice the front door
has a torn red sticker attached. I think of
82
April 2011
• Constables Richard Scott and Matt Hill in the garage at Lyttelton, from where they were still
policing after the Lyttelton Police Station was left uninhabitable following the quake of 22
February.
New Zealand Police Association
locals I speak too. One, an ex-Army veteran,
who I get chatting to in a fish and chip shop
in Stanmore Road late that evening, sums
it up: “Isn’t it interesting that it takes an
earthquake for a judge to hand down such a
sentence?”
I couldn’t possibly comment.
Police station
I walk up the road to the Lyttelton Police
Station. It is white with a blue trim under the
windows and glistens in the sun. Frankly,
I’m amazed to see it still standing after so
many buildings of similar vintage have been
brought to their knees. The station has some
decent cracks and some bricks down to its
side but for a station that was built in 1880,
it seems miraculous that it has survived.
Evidently, Sir Peter Jackson filmed a movie
here years ago and threw some money into
strengthening the old building. Good on you
Pete.
• The Lyttelton Police Station – still, standing when many others of a similar vintage are not.
In the meantime, the police here are running
their operations out of the garage at the
back of the station. This is where I find Matt
Hill and Richard Scott at the helm - looking
after the damaged ship, as it were.
Matt says he was in the Pak ‘N’ Save at
Riccarton when the shallow 6.3 quake
struck. “A wee way away from it all,” he
says, no doubt thankfully.
Red stickered
Richard says he was at home in Mount
Pleasant. His place survived. Richard works
over the hill in Sumner Police Station, which
has been red stickered (uninhabitable and
possibly for demolition) but Richard thinks it
may be okay. “It could be surface damage
but time will tell,” he says philosophically.
Matt points to the Lyttelton Station behind
us as a point of similar reference. “It looks a
shambles inside because all the bricks have
collapsed, the plaster is off, the fireplaces
have fallen in and there’s some damage
to the stairwell.” About now I am silently
thinking – “munted then”. But clearly Matt
and Richard are optimists: They tell me
they think Humpty can be put back together
again. I hope they are right – Lyttelton Police
Station oozes history.
Near enough to normality
They are back to “near enough” to their
normal rosters and they’re obviously pleased
about that but clearly some time off wouldn’t
go amiss. Long days and long nights go
hand in hand with disaster for emergency
service personnel. They run a three week
roster out here – Lyttelton didn’t get bitten
• DON’T TELL MY WIFE I DO DISHES: An officer at Lyttelton does the dishes in a bucket.
• MUNTED: What’s left of a Lyttelton port building down on the waterfront.
April 2011
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The Voice of Police
by the Metro roster change in the big smoke
and I get the sense these guys are happy
about that. They admit the rosters haven’t
worked so well since the quake but then not
much has, and they’re just taking the hours
in their stride.
Nothing is real here though. Surreal is more
apt. “War of the worlds is how I explained it
to someone the other day,” Matt chimes in.
“There are the usual toerags still offending,”
Matt tells me. “Generally speaking, 90% of
the offending here is carried out by people
coming through the tunnel but we know who
they all are,” he says. “They’re the types
of people who accept that it is their job to
offend and it’s our job to lock them up,” he
adds.
Community
The community has rallied around
though, with the odd surprise for the local
constabulary. Richard again: “There is going
to be a community hangi behind the fire
station tomorrow night and the guy who
turned up to invite us along was an exMongrel Mob member with tats all over his
face and the rest of him – so it’s all pretty
good really.”
Later I hear a similar story about old bikers
who turn up to help a friend in the central
city and they are quite clear on what will
befall any looters they come across. We
used to call this “Naenae justice” where
I grew up in the Hutt Valley. Guy Fawkes
would understand: “Desperate problems
require desperate solutions,” he once said –
just before he tried to blow up the Houses of
Parliament actually.
There are sad stories here from a local
perspective.
Randomness
Two Lyttelton residents were killed walking
over the Bridal Path that crosses from the
Heathcote Valley. One of them had rung his
wife from Woolston, where he ran a joinery
shop, telling her that he was okay after the
initial quake and that he would run over the
well-known path to get home. He was killed
by a lump of volcanic rock that dislodged
above him. Wrong time, wrong place has
been the hallmark of this quake and the
tragedy it has left in its wake.
Richard and Matt’s families are ok but they
say that the aftershocks feel as if they are
right beneath their feet at times – that’s
probably because they are.
Everyone you talk to seems to know
someone who has lost a loved one, friend
or colleague in the quake. Christchurch has
suddenly become very small – in more ways
than one.
Connections
Richard tells me of his partner’s friend, who
has two small daughters – two girls without
a Mum now. She had just returned to work
two days a week and, unfortunately, one of
those days was a Tuesday. The quake came
on a Tuesday. A day later and she may have
survived. She is now missing, presumed
dead in the Pyne Gould Building.
I think of the randomness of it all. The
14-year-old boy who had decided to get on
a bus to the central city to buy a birthday
present and just happened to get on the
wrong bus. I think of the mother killed by the
falling verandah in Cashel Street Mall and
her baby taken from her arms still alive.
Life is a candle in an open doorway and at
any time is can be blown out.
• The collapsed Pyne Gould Corporation building - Photo courtesy The Press, Christchurch.
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For so many their life has changed in the
blink of an eye. So many people unlucky
enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong
time. On the other side of that coin there are
others. Like the bloke in the Canterbury TV
building who had decided, six months ago,
to get fit by running three days a week. He
decides on Monday, Wednesday and Friday
as his running days and he sticks to them
religiously. For the first time on Tuesday the
22nd of February he alters this routine –
because it is a sunny day – and he goes for
a lunchtime run. It is a decision that saves
his life. Five minutes from his workplace the
quake strikes and the CTV building collapses
killing most of his colleagues. I find myself
thinking of my late Dad. Four and a half years
a guest of Adolf Hitler in an Austrian prisonerof-war camp: “Steve, if your number’s on it,
you wear it,” he once told me when I asked
him how he survived.
Reflection
The sweetness of life is heightened by
such events but life can never be the same
again for anyone who has lived through this
nightmare of death and destruction.
There are other coincidences.
A builder flagged down Richard when he
was out on patrol the other night. He tells
Richard his Mum has been found dead in a
fish and chip shop after the inside collapsed.
The builder is my sister-in-law’s next-door
neighbor, John from South Brighton. She
lent him her barbecue after the quake
because he had nothing to cook food on.
Across the road the young newlywed waits
for his wife to come home.
She was in the Canterbury TV building at the
time of the quake. We all know, as he does,
he will never hold her in his arms again.
New Zealand Police Association
• LONE FIGURE: A fireman surveys the devastation beneath his feet
at the site of the collapsed Canterbury TV building where so many
lost their lives.
• Police look on as the Canterbury TV building smoulders in the
background.
• Search and Rescue personnel lift debris from the Pyne
Gould site in the body recovery operation.
• DEVASTATION: Colombo Street in the CBD looks like a scene from
the London Blitz. - Photos courtesy of Christchurch Police Photography
Section.
April 2011
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The Voice of Police
The grim work of Tim and Otis
By Keith Lynch of The Press (Christchurch)
Senior Constable Tim Radcliffe, of the
Christchurch Police Dog Unit and his dog
Otis, worked 18-hour days sifting through
the ruins of the city in the first few days after
the quake.
Mr Radcliffe was among 1,200 officers
deployed to Christchurch.
“It’s been pretty tough. I got my family up to
Auckland, so it’s been good only having to
worry about me and him,” Mr Radcliffe said.
Constable Radcliffe was on duty when the
February 22 earthquake hit and immediately
combed the city looking for victims.
Special shoes
Otis and the other recovery dogs have
special shoes to avoid cutting their paws,
but the dog suffered a cut to his face, while
working on a ruined building.
“We were on the High St-Lichfield St
intersection,” Radcliffe said.
“We clambered over some pretty difficult
areas – stuff we’re not used to working in.”
Mr Radcliffe said it had been a frustrating
week. Otis was jaded but his handler
described him as “a solid dog.”
He’s just keen to get in,” he added.
Frustrating week
“It’s been a frustrating week. We’d like
to have them out,” he said of his bid to
rescue those still alive in that vital window of
opportunity after the quake.
The Christchurch Police Station, which
houses the 1,200 officers, was hit hard
by the earlier September 4 quake which
measured 7.1 on the Richter scale. The
1960s building, which has 13 floors, was
deemed to need strengthening. Police
bosses said at the time that a move to a new
station was vital.
The Christchurch Police Station has been
assessed daily to ensure it remains operational.
Staff are not allowed to work above the sixth
floor, where the Organised Crime Unit usually
resides. There are big cracks in the stairwell
and above the lifts, where debris rained down
when the quake hit.
Tidied up
Some offices have been tidied up, while
others remain in the same state as they
were after the quake.
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April 2011
• GRIM TASK: Senior Constable Tim Ratcliffe was on duty when the earthquake struck. He
had the grim task of searching for bodies with his dog Otis. - Photo courtesy of The Waikato
Times/Chris Hillcock
The Southern Communications Centre
remains operational, directing officers in the
city. All emergency calls from Christchurch
are now being taken in the Wellington and
Auckland Communications Centres before the
information is passed on to Christchurch.
Sergeant Ron MacKenzie, from Perth, was
among the Australian police contingent.
“We did a lot of community policing work in the
suburbs outside the central business district,
checking on people’s welfare,” he said.
Australian police also patrolled the cordon
around the badly damaged central business
district.
“Seeing it in 2D on the news is one thing;
seeing it in 3D is something else,” Mr
MacKenzie said.
Superintendent Mick Calatzis, a Police
commander from Canberra, headed one of
the Australian teams.
“It’s a humbling experience,” he said.
“It’s difficult. All police plan for the best, but
we also plan for the worst,” he added.
- Courtesy of The Press (Christchurch).
New Zealand Police Association
Bruce Lamb back on duty
in quake-hit Christchurch
By Keith Lynch, The Press (Christchurch)
Senior Constable Bruce Lamb, who along with his colleague
Constable Mitchel Alatalo, was shot during a routine inquiry in
Philipstown, Christchurch in July of last year rushed back to
Christchurch when he heard of the devastating quake at home.
He was in Wellington on the first day of a 12-week training course for
his new dog Mylo, a black Labrador gifted to him by the Christchurch
Dog Section, when the devastating quake struck.
In the July shooting Mr Lamb’s jaw was shattered when he was shot
in the face. Constable Alatalo was shot in the leg. Mr Lamb’s police
dog, Gage, was shot dead during the incident.
When the quake hit on 22 February, Mr Lamb and other emergency
workers rushed to the ruined city.
Early morning arrival
After taking the ferry across Cook Strait, Mr Lamb arrived in
Christchurch at 4.30 a.m. the next day and then spent more than 12
hours in the city centre on frontline policing duty.
It was the first day Mr Lamb had put on his stab-proof vest since the
shooting. He soon realised his equipment still bore his blood.
“It felt a bit funny. The multi-tool [on my belt] was full of congealed
blood from the shooting. I hadn’t realised since the shooting that it
hadn’t been cleaned,” he said.
Mylo remained at the Trentham Police Dog Training Centre.
“I was with someone [in Christchurch] who had a police dog. We
were searching manually at that stage. We did a few buildings,
kicked a few doors down. We ended up with a few bodies. By that
stage, the ones who were found alive, who were easily accessible,
had been found,” he said.
Cordon duties
Mr Lamb and his colleagues also had to watch for looters, and get
people out of dangerous areas within the cordon.
• BACK ON DUTY: Senior Constable Bruce Lamb, who was shot
in an incident at Philipstown in Christchurch in July last year
along with fellow officer Mitchel Alatalo, is pictured with his
new dog Mylo, a black Labrador, which was given to him by the
Christchurch Police Dog Section. Mr Lamb’s faithful canine partner
Gage was shot dead in the incident last year. - Photo courtesy of The
Press, Christchurch/Kevin Stent.
“Access was quite limited because of the danger and they needed
to balance that against the looting. It was quite eerie and very, very
scary.”
Despite mobile networks being jammed, Mr Lamb eventually managed
to confirm his family was safe. “I couldn’t get hold of my wife. She
works at the hospital and it was her birthday. It took about an hour and
half to get hold of her, which was quite harrowing,” he said.
Ready to
roll…
• Three truckloads of Police
and emergency vehicles arrive
downtown. - Photo courtesy of
Andrew Gorrie and The Dominion
Post .
April 2011
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The Voice of Police
Dawn and Maggie down in South
Brighton – isolated but resilient
By Steve Plowman, Editor, Police News
I am standing by the South Brighton pier. The ground around has fissures that run through the stone wall that
runs adjacent to the popular walking path along an idyllic forest, which bounds an equally peaceful estuary.
My mind flits to the famed NZ film Quiet
Earth. I now know how Bruno Lawrence’s
character feels.
An elderly woman emerges from the forest,
her tubby fox terrier waddling along beside her.
“How are you, are you okay?” I ask. “Yes, I
am fine,” she says. A weathered face that has
seen and taken life’s knocks looks back at me.
A “great comfort”
Her name is Dawn. She has lived in this small
community for 30 years. She lives alone. I
lean down and give her dog, Maggie, a pat.
Maggie, her 11-year-old foxy is her “great
companion” and has been “a great comfort”.
She tells me the dog is shaken but not stirred.
We share a smile. Life has been reduced
to the basics and pleasantries between
strangers.
Her two cats “buggered off” straight after the
quake but loyal old Maggie stayed right by her
side. The cats returned wet and bedraggled
after three days. No surprises there then, I’m
thinking to myself. I’ve always been a dog
man. Now I have total justification for my
long-held conviction that that the canine is
more loyal than the feline.
Guessing game
Dawn and I play the aftershock guessing
game about last night’s jolts - seven rattlers
that shook me from a light and nervous
slumber between the hours of 11 p.m. and
6 a.m. We settle between 3.8 and 4 for the
three most severe jolts and “shallow as” is
our combined assessment. In the dead of
night, they all feel bigger than they are. A
friend tells me later that we are right on the
money with our estimates. However, it is not
a sense I wish to hone with further quake
experience.
masonry or fissures in the driveways. Others,
just two streets away, are total wrecks and
will never be inhabitable again. The roads
are cast upward at strange angulations,
which have pushed manhole covers a metre
out of the ground, making driving at night
dangerous to your health. Last night I saw a
50,000 gallon petrol holding tank a foot out of
the ground on a petrol station forecourt.
“Double-skinned,” my son-in-law quips as we
gawk in astonishment. I wish I was.
Devastation
The sun basks the hills of Redcliffs and
Sumner across the estuary. The light hides
the darkness beneath. The RSA at Sumner
has been bowled by a boulder the size of a
bus – a giant’s bowling ball that mowed the
large brick building down like a skittle.
The evidence of the swathe carved through
Lyttelton, Sumner, Recliffs and of course a
decimated central business district, puts me
in mind of those old World War II black and
white documentaries of the London Blitz.
When I was a young lad, I remember watching
my Dad writing letters to friends and relatives
on the kitchen table at night. He would always
head them with the words “From the Valley
of the Giants” – a reference to the Hutt Valley
where we lived. I feel as if I am now residing
in the true Valley of the Giants and the giants
have been busy – tossing everything asunder.
Think angry giant. Very angry giant.
Death toll
Dawn and I are standing with a broken
pathway beneath our feet. I look down to pat
the dog again. For the first time I realise we
are standing astride a fissure in the gravel
where the ground has opened up to a width
of about 10-15 cms. We are pawns on the
giant’s chessboard. Many have not survived
the war declared by Mother Nature. The
latest toll overnight, as I write, stands at 160
confirmed dead. It may not rival the toll of
New Zealand’s worst natural disaster – the
1931 Napier quake that killed 256 people but it will be etched as deeply in our collective
memory.
Dawn looks fragile but looks can be
deceiving. She is a Cantabrian born and bred.
They breed them tough here. Their famed,
multiple championship-winning rugby team
isn’t called The Crusaders for nothing. This
past week I have seen many ‘crusaders’
– like the Student Volunteer Army – an
organisation of 1,000 student volunteers,
which had its genesis from a few mates
banding together on social networking site
Facebook to lend a hand to a few neighbours
back in September when the first big quake
struck. It has grown into a monolith of helping
hands. They are magnificent. Braving the dust
storms of the suburbs to help with digging out
360,000 tonnes of putrid silt and mud from
stranger’s properties.
Dawn tells me she hasn’t spoken to anyone
in days. “All the neighbours rallied around to
help each other in the first few days and then
everyone disappeared, either back to their
own places or they just got in their cars and
went,” she says.
With no power, no sanitation and no running
water we are inhabitants of a ghost town.
Houses 100 metres from where we stand are
largely unscathed but for a few cracks in the
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April 2011
• Trees in South Brighton were torn out of the ground by the ferocity of the quake.
New Zealand Police Association
They restore my faith in human nature and in
the youth of today.
A moment in history
When you talk to people it becomes clear that just as Americans remember where they were
when John F Kennedy was assassinated, and
those planes hit the Twin Towers and Pentagon
on September 11, 2001 – this disaster will
be etched into the collective memory of
Christchurch’s people for generations to come.
“Where were you when it struck?” I find myself
instinctively asking Dawn.
“I had a hair appointment,” she said. I passed
the local hairdressers yesterday. It lies in a
block of four shops and the brick wall that
separates them is tottering like a drunken
sailor wondering which way to fall – through
the hairdressers or the fish and chip shop on
the other side.
My sister-in-law, Sue, tells me the fish shop
is “one of the best in Christchurch” and then
instinctively corrects herself: “Was one of the
best in Christchurch”.
Timing
Dawn tells me she arrived about a minute
before the quake struck the hair salon. “When
it hit, people didn’t react at first, probably
thinking it was another aftershock, but it only
took a couple of seconds for us all to realise
this was something major and when the front
• Stokes Valley (Wellington) Volunteer Fire Brigade Chief Officer, Greg Wos, who loaded up
his ute with food, water and tools and drove south after the quake to lend a hand in South
Brighton, one of the worst-affected areas, takes time out to enjoy the Editor’s home-made
chicken soup.
window went we all hightailed it out of there
and ran into the street.”
Dawn and the rest of the customers were
lucky – they survived. Shaken and well stirred.
We have learned that timing was everything at
12.51 p.m. on 22 February. So many others in
the CBD reacted just as instinctively as Dawn
and yet got caught by falling debris and never
lived to tell the tale.
We have learned how fickle life is. How
precious, how delicate.
We have learned what really matters. It isn’t
possessions. We have learned to stand
together with the people of Canterbury and
we must continue to do so.
We have learned that life will never be the
same. We must hug our loved ones more
tightly when we leave in the morning and
again when we get home at night. We have
much to be thankful for despite this tragedy –
and because of it.
That is the lesson that a stranger at the South
Brighton pier learned when he talked to an old
lady called Dawn.
Quick fact sheet
• A 6.3 magnitude earthquake strikes
Christchurch at 12.51p.m. on February
22, 10km southeast of the city.
• The death toll is announced at 39. It is
expected to rise significantly. A fortnight
later it stands at 160 with estimates that
the final figure could rise to around 200.
• Three weeks after the quake aftershocks
continue. There have been 400 since 22
February, 30 above magnitude 4.
• A Category Three State of Emergency,
the highest level, is in place for a least the
next five days with the central business
district (CBD) completely shut down.
Several people are arrested for looting.
• All emergency services are stretched to
the limits.
• The Nightshift Commander, Superintendent Russell Gibson, says that
Christchurch is a scene of “absolute
carnage.” “There are bodies littering
the streets, there are people trapped in
cars, crushed under rubble, and where
they are it is clear they are deceased,
our focus unfortunately at this time has
turned to the living.”
• Welfare centres are set up around the
city – and around 950 people are housed
at two welfare centres on the night of the
quake.
• Civil Defence, Police, Fire, Ambulance, Red
Cross, and The NZ Army are just some of
the agencies involved in the rescue efforts.
• The CTV and Pyne Gould Corporation
buildings collapse, with many people killed
or trapped inside. A man crushed under
rubble of the Pyne Gould building has to
have both his legs amputated in order to
rescue him.
• 200 people are treated at Christchurch
Hospital on the night of the quake.
• 60 ambulance officers from around the
country are despatched immediately to
Christchurch.
• 300 Australian police, including specialist
Disaster Victim Identification staff and
Search and Rescue (SAR) staff are flown
in to help.
• International agencies are quick to respond
with help coming from the UK, USA,
Australia, China, the Phillipines, Japan,
Korea, Taiwan and Mexico.
• Access to water is a major concern.
Water tankers are sent to schools, which
are being used as water and welfare
distribution centres.
• Sixty percent (60%) of the buildings in
Lyttelton have collapsed. No serious
injuries are reported in Lyttelton but two
men are killed by falling rocks on the
Bridal Path that leads over the hill to the
port town.
• The iconic spire on Christ Church
Cathedral implodes. There are fears
22 people lie dead beneath the rubble.
Thankfully, they prove unfounded.
• Infrastructure is severely damaged –
power lines, water and sewer drains
and pipes have been broken and will
take months to repair. This leaves tens
of thousands of homes without power,
water or sanitation.
• Liquefaction is a major problem and it
swamps many thousands of homes and
streets.
• Early estimates say the cost of repairing
Christchurch will be around $15 billion.
April 2011
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PoliceNews
The Voice of Police
• FOLLOW THE LEADER: Inspector Malcolm Johnstone, the Area Commander for Christchurch South, leads Clifton Hill residents to a
briefing to tell them that they will need to be evacuated after fears the hillside would slip.
- Photo courtesy of The Dominion Post
Victorian officers held out hopes for a CBD miracle
while NSW counterparts mucked in down in Brighton
For many days after the devastating quake,
Victorian police officers were still clinging
to hope that they would find someone alive
amidst the rubble of the central city buildings.
of your feet,” he said of two that the Victorian
contingent had felt while out working.
Sergeant Nathan Proud was part of a
contingent of 116 police officers who flew to
New Zealand to help maintain law and order
in the quake zone for a fortnight.
“People who’ve had this shocking thing happen
to them, seeing us and saying they really
appreciate it. It’s sort of humbling,” he said.
The Victorians were helping search and rescue
teams as they sifted through the rubble.
“There’s always hope that you’ll pull a person
out after what seems like an amazing amount
of time. You’ll see it in any earthquake,” he
told ABC News.
Hope fades
After several days hope began to fade, as
humid conditions started to take their toll on
exhausted rescuers. Then, on March 3, came
the announcement everyone had expected
but dreaded – officials announced there was
no chance of finding anyone alive and the
rescue effort moved into body recovery mode.
It was another kick in the guts for everyone
who had worked so tirelessly. We wanted our
very own Darlene Etienne, the 17-year-old
who had miraculously been pulled from the
rubble15 days after the Haiti earthquake that
had killed 230,000 fellow Haitians. It was not
to be.
Aftershocks
Mr Proud said dealing with the continuing
aftershocks is just part of the job.
“They weren’t massive shocks but you could
hear the rumble and feel it through the soles
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April 2011
Sergeant Proud said he was impressed at the
resilience of Cantabrians.
“There are unsung heroes here
and the work they are doing to
put this city back on its feet is
astonishing.”
- Superintendent Gavin Ryan of the
Australian Federal Police pays tribute to
his Kiwi counterparts.
Cantabarians resilience admired
“You sort of think they should be upset and
distraught, but they seem to be very resilient
people,” he added.
Out at New Brighton, the Anzac sprit was
alive and well in the form of 122 officers
from New South Wales, who a week earlier
had received a rapturous welcome as they
came through the international terminal at
Christchurch International Airport on their way
to deployment around the city. They stood
on cordons, drove patrol cars, assisted at
welfare centres, manned checkpoints and
dug liquefaction out of properties.
“You have to see this for yourself. The
pictures on the TV don’t capture it. You can’t
comprehend the scale of it until you are here
on the ground,” one officer from New South
Wales told Police News.
“It’s an honour to be here to help our Kiwi
brothers and sisters,” she added. “You came
and helped us when the floods and fires
came and so we’re just returning the favour.”
Superintendent Gavin Ryan from the
Australian Federal Police paid tribute to the
local police. “There are unsung heroes here
and the work they are doing to put this city
back on its feet is astonishing,” he said.
Isolation
The Brighton locals, who were feeling very
isolated without power, water or sanitation
some 12 days after the quake, were very
appreciative of the professionalism and
dedication of the Australians. Many stopped
to shake the hands of the Aussie cops and
local police officers. Despite huge damage
to the suburb’s buildings, homes and
infrastructure there was a sense of ‘we’re
all in this together’ as the community pulled
together for the common good.
Suddenly all those sheep jokes from them
and an invitation to play them cricket on the
local lawn bowling green took a back seat
to the enormous job in hand. The Aussies
were here when the chips were down - when
we most needed them. This was a war zone
without the bullets and bombs but they were
once again our brothers-in-arms. It truly was
a sight to behold.
Along with the Student Volunteer Army, the
Farmy Army and many others, their presence
restored one’s faith in human nature and
the ability of that spirit to prevail against
overwhelming odds.
- By Steve Plowman and ABC News.
New Zealand Police Association
• The site of the iconic Christ Church Cathedral lies in ruins.
• Police Association President Greg O’Connor (centre) talks to
Police staff in the Red Zone within the devastated CBD area.
• A brick house lies in ruins on Centaurus
Road in the St Martins/Opawa area.
- Photo courtesy of Craig Simcox and The
Dominion Post.
• The O’Hara family, from left, Suzie
(Mum), Colm (Dad), Niamh and Roisin
inspect the gapping chasm in front of their
Huntsbury home. It was growing bigger by
the day with aftershocks.
- Photo courtesy of Craig Simcox and The
Dominion Post.
April 2011
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The Voice of Police
After The Storm
And after the storm,
I run and run as the rains come
And I look up, I look up,
on my knees and out of luck,
I look up.
Night has always pushed up day
You must know life to see decay
But I won’t rot, I won’t rot
Not this mind and not this heart,
I won’t rot.
And I took you by the hand
And we stood tall,
And remembered our own land,
What we lived for.
And there will come a time, you’ll see, with no more tears.
And love will not break your heart, but dismiss your fears.
Get over your hill and see what you find there,
With grace in your heart and flowers in your hair.
And now I cling to what I knew
I saw exactly what was true
But oh no more.
That’s why I hold,
That’s why I hold with all I have.
That’s why I hold.
I will die alone and be left there.
Well I guess I’ll just go home,
Oh God knows where.
Because death is just so full and mine so small.
Well I’m scared of what’s behind and what’s before.
And there will come a time, you’ll see, with no more tears.
And love will not break your heart, but dismiss your fears.
Get over your hill and see what you find there,
With grace in your heart and flowers in your hair.
- Lyrics by Mumford and Son.
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April 2011
New Zealand Police Association
Obituary:
Alfred (Allan) Mills
Allan Mills was a no-nonsense
Wanganui police constable who lived
his life looking after his extended
family.
policeman who by then was working
on a Te Kuiti farm, sat the young couple
down and explained a few of life’s
economic realities.
He followed in his father’s footsteps
by joining the Police in 1960 as a
35-year-old.
The way to a better life for the family,
Mr Mills senior argued, involved a
stable career in the Police Force. Mr
Mills’ Police service began soon after the
family meeting when he was introduced
to the Wanganui Police recruiting
officer by his father.
The move to the constabulary
followed agricultural labouring stints
in jobs as a Waverley-based logging
truck driver and a cheesemaker
in dairy factories at Lowgarth and
Meremere in Taranaki.
Allan and Mary Mills met at a rugby
club function in Hawera in 1949 and
married two years later.
Low-paying jobs
They embarked upon their life
together via a series of low-paying
rural jobs with little long-term
financial prospects.
These physical jobs in small country
towns were just fine by Mr and Mrs
Mills.
Very early on in their married life the
couple learned how to handle, with
style, a number of setbacks life would
throw at them.
An early setback saw the couple’s car
hit by a drunken driver near Lowgarth
beneath the slopes of Mt Taranaki.
The impact threw Mrs Mills out of the
car window. She was in hospital in
Hawera for six months. She emerged
from hospital with one leg shorter
than the other.
Mr Mills’ hunting skills meant his
steadily increasing family of 11 (two
of his children died at birth) never
had to pay for meat, apart from
the ammunition bill for Mr Mills’
hunting rifle. Mr Mills was also a keen
gardener.
Rabbits, goats, everything on four legs
in fact were fair game and regularly
found their way on to the Mills’ family
dinner table.
Economic realities
Living in dairy factory and logging
company housing meant rents and
wages were low for the young family.
But after nine years of marriage,
Mr Mills’ father, himself a former
He began working as a beat cop on the
nightshift in Wanganui long before he
had gone anywhere near the then Police
Training School in Trentham.
In 1960 Allan and Mary Mills built
the first home they ever owned in
Wanganui, a home he stayed in for the
rest of his life.
Early highlight
One of his early highlights as a constable
was being called upon to search for
prison escaper George Wilder during
one of the latter’s three celebrated
prison escapes in the 1960s.
The Mills operated an open home policy,
and the local cop had wide connections
in the Wanganui community. People,
because they trusted him, would ring
him up at home. Mr Mills, a man
of common sense, defused many a
neighbourhood feud before would-be
complainants got anywhere near the
front door of the police station.
In his spare time he was a lizard canary
bird breeder and an unofficial social
worker to the extended Mills clan.
Big clan
From time to time his superiors
suggested Mr Mills might gain a
promotion if he would shift to
Taumarunui. Such propositions always
faltered when it became obvious there
was no standard-sized Police house in
the country capable of accommodating
the large Mills clan under one roof.
The idea of obtaining a promotion by
studying was never really a goer either.
There was always a discussion going
on in the Mills homestead. Allan was
forced to moonlight to put food on
the table for the brood. He worked in
a pickle factory and was also big on
helping farmers with haymaking.
• Allan Mills
In retirement he was a regular at the
Aramoho Bowling Club.
Mr Mills was a low-key policeman
whose non-threatening manner and
sense of humour achieved much.
He was, however, very proud of
one bust in particular, recorded in
Charles Spicer’s book Policing the
River District.
Double arrest incident
In 1966, Mr Mills was sent to
apprehend a “stark naked” (apart
from a frilly bra) young lady who was
causing a disturbance on a Wanganui
street. She was easy to locate as she
was running about “screaming and
yelling and fighting mad”.
Mr Mills grasped the woman’s wrists
from behind and hung on tight.
Unable to let go, he needed help
to drive the police car back to the
station, and a willing onlooker was
co-opted.
Two young men, who had witnessed
Mr Mills’ arrest of the near naked
woman, were so busy gawking they
drove their car off the road.
Mr Mills dispatched the co-opted
driver to apprehend the rubberneckers who, it turned out, had stolen
the car. They were duly arrested and
the group trio of arrestees arrived at
the station, where the near-naked
woman clobbered the watch-house
keeper.
As a grateful Mr Mills gave the coopted driver a ride home, the driver
confessed that he did not have a
licence. Mr Mills did not hear a thing.
Sources: Mary Mills, Charles Spicer
- Courtesy of The Dominion Post and Tim Donoghue.
April 2011
93
PoliceNews
The Voice of Police
Has your financial adviser passed the test?
On the 1st July 2011 New Zealand joins
the rest of the developed world in having
regulations that govern who can give financial
advice. Since the deregulation of the mid1980s, New Zealand has followed a policy of
“light regulation” and some would say nonexistent regulation in comparison to many of
our major economic partners.
During the past four years we’ve seen the
meltdown of most finance companies and
the subsequent loss of billions of dollars of
investors’ funds. Many of those investors
were elderly and just trying to earn a bit
more income than bank term deposits
were offering. For most, there is little or no
chance of recovering their losses from these
‘investments’.
Many of these investors made their own
investment decisions based on television or
print advertising. Some investors did seek
advice, but with less than satisfactory results.
For the past 20 years, the Institute of Financial
Advisers has been the industry body for setting
standards and supervising most professional
advisers. However, membership has always
been voluntary and anybody could call
themselves a “financial adviser” without being
a member or having any qualifications.
In most countries, adviser regulation has
developed over many years and while this
year’s introduction of the Financial Advisers
Act (FAA) is designed to give greater investor
confidence, it does create a lot of new rules,
regulation and jargon that investors need to
understand. In future, ‘Dispute Resolution
Schemes’, ‘Code of Professional Conduct’,
‘AFA’s’, ‘RFA’s’ and ‘QFE’s’ will be some of the
words and acronyms used in connection with
giving financial advice.
How qualified do advisers have to be
under the Financial Advisers Act?
There are certain qualifications that an adviser
needs to obtain before they can apply to
become an Authorised Financial Adviser
(AFA). In addition to meeting the minimum
competency requirements, AFA’s must adhere
to a Code of Professional Conduct for AFA’s
(the Code) set out by the Code Committee. The
Code sets minimum standards of competence,
knowledge and skill, ethical behaviour
and client care. It also includes minimum
requirements for continuing education and
training.1
In future, people who give financial advice on
category 1 (investment focused) products,
provide an investment planning service
or provide a discretionary investment
management service will need to be AFAs;
1 Sourced from the Securities Commission website.
94
April 2011
requiring registration and authorisation.
Some advisers will need to be registered only
(‘RFAs’ - because the scope of their services
is limited).
All advisers will need to be registered, but there
will be different categories of advice, for simple
and for more complex investment products.
To learn more, take a look at the Securities
Commission website www.sec-com.govt.nz/
far. Look under the section “Frequently Asked
Questions” and you’ll find answers to most
questions you may have about financial advice.
If an investor wants comprehensive financial
and investment advice, they will need to
choose an AFA. There will be substantial
fines and suspension for advisers giving
advice outside their areas of experience
or qualifications. Obligations placed on
advisers include: the requirement to give full
disclosure of any fees and possible costs
prior to giving any advice; and the advice and
recommendations need to be in writing.
Know your rights. What you can complain
about.2
You can complain to the Securities
Commission if people or companies breach the
Financial Advisers Act after 1 December 2010.
They may, for example:
2 Sourced from the Securities Commission website.
• Fail to exercise care, diligence and skill
when providing financial services;
• Claim to be a financial adviser or provide
financial services but are not allowed to do
so;
• Fail to comply with disclosure or conduct
obligations; and/or
• Behave misleadingly or deceptively.
You can complain to the Securities
Commission if an AFA fails to follow the
Code of Professional Conduct for Authorised
Financial Advisers.
The Code sets minimum standards of
competence, knowledge and skill, ethical
behaviour and client care. It includes minimum
requirements for continuing education and
training.
For example, you can complain about AFAs
where they (amongst other things):
• Imply independence when they are not;
• Fail to put a client’s interests first; and/or
• Fail to act with integrity.
How will the Act and dealing with an AFA
benefit me as an investor?
While regulation will be good for consumers,
the number of people giving financial advice
is likely to drop initially. When Australia
introduced adviser regulations, almost 40% of
New Zealand Police Association
Use the questions below to help you
select a good adviser.
Who is the adviser?
Do they belong to a professional adviser
association? What qualifications and
experience do they have? Do they work for
themselves or for an organisation?
What services does your adviser offer?
Does your adviser specialise in offering the
products or services you are looking for? Has
the adviser asked you questions that make you
confident that they properly understand your
needs? Will the adviser put details of the advice
and answers to your questions in writing for
you?
What will you pay and how is the adviser
paid?
Will you be charged fees? Will commissions be
deducted from the money you invest? Can the
adviser tell you what fees you will pay – directly
or indirectly – for the advice? Will the adviser
get any other form of payment or remuneration
– whether in cash or another form?
How can I get the most out of a good
adviser?
New regulations will provide investors with
more reasons to ask questions and conversely,
you will benefit by providing your chosen
adviser with full and accurate information about
your financial circumstances.
Make sure you inform your adviser about:
• Your age and any major health problems;
• If you have any financial dependants or
other dependants needing other support;
• Your income and expenses and how you
expect these to change over time i.e. renovating the house, selling a business, saving
for retirement or helping children with their
education; and/or
• Your assets and liabilities including your
superannuation, KiwiSaver, insurances, tax,
income and what you might inherit.
It goes without saying that advisers can only
provide a service based on what you have told
them, so be as transparent as possible.
In addition to the investigation of your situation,
your adviser will need to understand your
attitude to risk, especially if you are looking
to invest. This usually includes completing
a risk assessment questionnaire and having
a detailed conversation to establish your
tolerance for risk.
Investors nearing retirement will most likely
be more conservative in their investment style
while younger investors may take a more
aggressive approach to growing their wealth.
In summary
If you are looking for financial planning and
investment advice, the new regulations will
provide you with a more stable framework for
doing so. Make the most of the information
available to you to select a good adviser and
build a lasting relationship that helps you
achieve your goals.
A disclosure statement is available on
request and free of charge.
Spicers provide Police Welfare Fund
members access to quality financial
planning, investment and superannuation
advice at specially negotiated rates.
Phone 0800 ON BEAT (0800 66 2328) for
more information.
Try our 5 minute quiz
Okay, morning or afternoon tea break
has arrived. You have your cuppa in hand
and you and your colleagues could do
with a quick brain workout. So appoint
your quizmaster and have a go at these
questions. The answers are under the quiz
(upside down, no peeking!).
1. The River Jordan flows into what
sea?
2. Chiffon, marble and bundt are
types of what?
3. In which year were NZ women
granted the right to vote?
4. What is the human body’s biggest
organ?
5. What do the Japanese call their
country?
Words of wisdom
from a sentry box
6. What well known musician
changed his name from Gordon
Sumner?
Many, many years ago, in a long-since
forgotten outpost of the Empire, a British
“Tommy,” alone in his sentry box, found a
stub of a pencil and to wile away the hours
till dawn, penned a few lines of verse on
the wall.
7. Who was the first European to
discover NZ?
The plaintive nature of his words are as
true and relevant today as they were when
he first wrote them, and not just to the
military forces of the world but also to the
Police forces of the world.
Here, verbatim – save for the substitution
of the word “soldier” with the word
“police” – is what that soldier wrote:God and the police, all people adore,
In times of trouble – but not before;
When trouble is o’er, and everything
righted;
God is forgotten and the police slighted.
8. What cheese shares its name with
an English gorge?
9. Who is the Greek God of music?
10. What country is known as the
sugar bowl of the world?
Scoring: 0-2 – Hmmn, room for significant
improvement (perhaps next month). 3-5
Not bad, better luck next time. 6-7 – Good
effort. 8 – Very good. 9 – Excellent. 10 –
Wipe your nose, take a bow and go to the
top of the class Einstein.
Answers: 1 The Dead Sea. 2.Cake 3.1893
4.The Skin 5.Nippon 6.Sting 7.Abel
Tasman 8.Cheddar 9.Apollo 10.Cuba
the people giving financial advice left the advice
business. Inevitably, not all advisers will rise
to the challenge of modifying their business
practices to adhere to the new rules.
There has also been some media skepticism
about the new regulations for financial
advisers, particularly in regards to whether
anything will really change for consumers.
Time will be the true test.
Financial planning firms such as Spicers,
who have built a business based on providing
quality advice, are positive that regulations will
help clean up the industry and provide a more
credible platform for providing professional
financial and investment advice.
As an investor, it would be wise to educate
yourself on what your rights are and
importantly, how you can get the most out
of an adviser relationship. Good advisers will
spend time to truly understand and investigate
what makes you tick before suggesting
solutions for your situation.
April 2011
95
Police Council of Sport
To contact the Police Council of Sport, call Sharon Gold at the RNZPC. Ph: (04) 238-3139 (Ext: 43139)
Australasian Police and Emergency
Services Games seeking new venue
following devastating Chch quake
The Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games, which were to be held in Christchurch from the 2nd to the 9th March 2012,
will now not be held in the city.
The Games Organising Committee believe
that Christchurch will not be able to support
the Games as hoped due to the huge earthquake that hit the region on 22 February and
have, regrettably, decided to seek another
venue.
The decision on a venue has not yet been
made but four cities have expressed interest
in hosting them.
Cycling events
Cycling is a sport which is on the rise in popularity and, accordingly, this will be reflected
in the Games cycling programme with three
disciplines on offer: a road race, a time trial
and a hill climb. This should give cyclists sufficient scope to showcase their abilities and
skill.
Mountain biking will be catered for with both
downhill and cross-country events. This sport
is not for the faint hearted and can be a great
spectacle.
New sports on offer
There will also be new sports offered. Waka
Ama, T20 cricket and white water rafting will
be on show for the first time – a reflection of
their increasing popularity.
‘International Day’ will be a first for an Australasian Police and Emergency Services
Games. The last day is being set aside for an
Australia versus New Zealand clash in T20
cricket, touch rugby, netball, hockey and soccer. The teams will be made up from the best
players from each country in the respective
sport, regardless of their service affiliation.
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.
96
April 2011
New Zealand Police Association
NZ Police cross-country Champs
to be held in Hastings on 18 May
The NZ Police cross country championships
will be held in Hastings this year on May 18.
The course is yet to be confirmed; however
course details and entry forms will be
available by mid-March at
http://www.policesport.org.nz
This year’s funding has been redirected
towards the Australasian Police and
Emergency Services Games, which means
cross-country organisers will be relying on
race entry fees to cover event costs.
Did you know…
…we tend to accumulate more
assets over time and often the level
of contents cover members have
is insufficient when a major loss
is suffered. We have just updated
our handy checklist under the
“Insurances” section of our website at
www.policeassn.org.nz
It lists common items and a guide to
their value and can really help when
you are trying to work out the current
value of your contents.
Organisers this year are Gary McFadyen and
Luke Shadbolt of Hastings Police. Both can
be contacted via the Police email system.
Special Conference held on 6 April
By Chris Pentecost, Chief Executive Officer
The Association Board of Directors is
led by the President, who relies on the
support of the two Vice-Presidents as
key back ups.
Each of these positions is for a three
year term. Among the tasks of the delegates at Annual Conference each year is
the election of candidates into these important roles. One position is contested
each year, giving overlapping terms of
office, to ensure we have stability at the
head of the organisation.
While the norm is for these positions
to be elected (or confirmed) at Annual
Conference, from time to time one of
these positions becomes vacant part
way through a year. This has occurred
this year with the resignation of VicePresident Chris Cahill. Given the key
role a Vice-President has in supporting
the President, where such a resignation
occurs we look to fill the vacancy for
the remainder of the three year term, requiring the delegates to elect a replacement. This election can be by either
holding a Special Conference or by a
More for the
lexophiles…
1. A sign on the lawn at a drug rehab centre
said: ‘Keep off the grass.’
2. A small boy swallowed some coins and
was taken to a hospital. When his grandmother telephoned to ask how he was, a
nurse said: “No change yet”.
postal (or electronic) ballot. Voting is by
a poll vote, with each delegate’s voting
strength determined by the number of
members within the Area/District they
represent. The successful candidate
must get an absolute majority, at least
50% plus one, of the total votes cast.
Four nominations
With the resignation of Chris Cahill
we have received four nominations
from members who are seeking to fill
this role. Given this number of nominations, and the possibility that more
than one ballot will be required before
any one candidate receives an absolute
majority, we have a Special Conference
scheduled for Wednesday 6 April.
At the Special Conference all candidates
will have an opportunity to address the
delegates and answer questions. The
election process will take place until
one candidate has an absolute majority.
Where this does not occur at the first
ballot the lowest polling candidate will
drop out, and a further ballot or ballots
will occur until the requisite majority
vote is achieved.
Candidates are responsible for distributing material in support of their nomination to Area/District committees, and
have been afforded the opportunity to
submit material to National Office to be
posted on the website.
3. A chicken crossing the road is poultry in
motion.
7. When cannibals ate a missionary, they got
a taste of religion.
4. The man who survived mustard gas and
pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran.
8. Don’t join dangerous cults: Practice safe
sects!
5. A backward poet writes inverse.
9. A bicycle can’t stand alone; it is two tyred.
6. In democracy it’s your vote that counts. In
feudalism it’s your count that votes.
10. The thief who fell into wet cement became a hardened criminal.
Details of the new Vice-President will be
in the May edition of Police News.
April 2011
97
PoliceNews
The Voice of Police
Mark Burgess awarded Life Membership
of the Police Federation of Australia
The Police Federation of Australia (PFA) has honoured its CEO,
Mark Burgess, with a Life Membership.
The nomination put forward by PFA President, Vince Kelly, was
carried unanimously by board members during a recent PFA
National Council meeting.
• Developing the first PFA pre-election policy, Law and Order
in Australia: Policies for the Future, presented to each political
party in 2007;
• Gaining a commitment by the new Rudd Government for 500
additional sworn police for the AFP over a five-year period;
Mr Kelly described Mr Burgess as an “exemplary” Chief Executive
of Australia’s paramount national Police representative body.
• Reforming policing arrangements at the 11 major airports after
the Beale audit of policing;
History
Mr Burgess graduated from the NSW Police Academy in January
1989 and was stationed at Newcastle Police Station from 1989
to 1996.
• Placing the issue of national police professionalisation and
registration on the national agenda and before Police Ministers;
While working for the NSW Police, Mr Burgess remained a
dedicated member of the New South Wales Police Association as
an official and conference delegate.
By 1994, he was elected to the NSWPA Executive and in 1996
was named Vice-President.
Through his hard work and dedication Mr Burgess landed the
role of President in 1998, a position he remained in until his
appointment as CEO of the PFA in November 2000.
In 2006, the New South Wales Police Association (NSWPA)
honoured Mr Burgess’ commitment to the NSWPA with a Life
Membership.
Low profile
During the early days of his job as CEO of the PFA, Mr Burgess
worked hard to build the profile of the Association in Canberra,
despite its national office being based in Sydney.
• Achieving an undertaking to set up an overseas workers’
compensation scheme comparable to Defence for police
officers serving overseas on high risk missions;
• Making influential and persuasive submissions to many
Parliamentary committee inquiries and providing them with
evidence on matters affecting the working lives of police
officers;
• Developing, for the PFA, a national stance on the importance
of Tasers in the police toolbox;
• Establishing an influential voice in the national media on
issues affecting policing;
• Developing a 2010 policy titled Creating a safer Australia: PFA’s
Plan 2010-2013; for the latest Federal election; and
• Persuading the Government in 2009 to agree to award the
new National Police Service Medal.
The PFA bought its current premises in Canberra in 2002 and
it was then that Mr Burgess and his wife relocated to Canberra.
During his 10 years in the job, Mr Burgess’s notable achievements
include:
• Growing the PFA’s accumulated funds from $29,000 in 2000
to over $1 million in 2010;
• The dedication of the National Police Memorial;
• Gaining fringe benefits tax reporting exclusions for police;
• Implementing the PFA’s national fundraising appeal, which
raised over $128,000 for the families of the police officers who
lost their lives in the New York September 11 World Trade
Centre tragedy;
• Building significant relationships with politicians across all
political parties;
• Formalising the Western Australia Branch of the PFA in 2004;
• Police Federation Chief Executive Officer Mark Burgess (left) receives
his Life Membership award from PFA President Vince Kelly.
Memorial wall
Our sympathies to all our members’ families for those who have passed away in recent months…
We remember…
Who passed away…
MAIRS Lollah Marion
17-Dec-10Spouse of memberWellington
BENNETT Leslie William
29-Dec-10Retired member
Mount Maunganui
ASHBY Maurice Bryan
13-Jan-11Retired member
Blenheim
ADAMS Valeria Barrett
17-Feb-11Widow of memberLower Hutt
DIREEN Michael Francis
18-Feb-11Retired memberChristchurch
BRIEN Pamela Maree (nee Booker)
22-Feb-11
Tyson Matilda Girlie
16-Mar-11WidowNapier
98
April 2011
MemberChristchurch
New Zealand Police Association
amples of this fabulous style of wine. In producing this Port, Torlesse
use a solera system where a blend of red and white grapes, fortified
by high strength alcohol are matured in aged oak barrels for an
average of eight years. The solera system sees new fruit added each
year to replace the fully matured wine that is run off and bottled. The
resulting Port is tawny in style and is a great drop. You can buy the
wine at the cellar door, order it via their website, or check out its
availability from your local specialist wine store.
by Ricky Collins
The magic of Port
One of my biggest regrets since becoming interested in wine is that I didn’t discover fortified styled wines such as Port sooner. Given
my time over again, I’d have more of these
wines in my wine collection. The sweet, intense but complex flavours that show through
in Port are very appealing to me, and it makes
a fantastic after-dinner wine to share with
friends.
Dow’s Late Bottle Vintage PortRRP $50
The Portugese produce a variety of Port styles. You may be familiar
with a few of these such as ruby, tawny, reserve and vintage. These
different styles can range in price from quite low to extremely expensive. For me, the best style when considering price versus quality is
late bottled vintage Port. In good years, these wines are very similar
to vintage Ports that are at the top end of the price range. They have
pure concentrated sweet fruit flavours, with a rancio character that
is a hallmark of Port. Dows is a very highly-regarded Port house and
they deliver consistent quality year in, year out.
From a cellaring perspective, once bottled, Port will continue to live on
for many years. In addition, most Ports don’t deteriorate as quickly
as table wines once they have been opened. Port is an oxidative style
of wine. To ensure it remains fresh, just keep the bottle closed after
pouring. I recently tried a selection of Ports that had been opened
for months and had sat as part bottles for some time. They were far
better than I’d realistically expected them to be and all tasted true to
style.
Try either of these Ports with dark chocolate or blue cheese and
discover their true magic.
Portugal, not surprisingly is the traditional home of Port but both
New Zealand and Australia have a proud history of producing fortified wines. In fact, fortified wines were our main staple back in the
mid-1900s and were the forerunner to the resurgence of table wine
production that is now familiar. Below are my thoughts on two contrasting Ports, one from New Zealand and the other from Portugal.
Torlesse PortRRP $30
There are a number of New Zealand wineries that have carried on
the tradition of producing a fortified wine. Torlesse Wines, based in
the Waipara village in North Canterbury have one of the best local ex1 2 3 45 6 7
8
9
Clues:
Across:
1. Alerts changes to other changes (6)
Down:
1. Worn with firearms (6)
4. Games I make into faces for montages (6)
2. Form of address hunting (9,4)
9. US war time award (8,5)
3. Working car part (5)
10. I’m prude making referee decisions (7)
5. Camera B blended into grotesque scene (7)
121314
11. Vital part for photographer Brian’s vehicle
(5)
6. Gambolling war, breaks down ozone layer
result (6,7)
151617
12. Disney character (5)
7. Way to do things (6)
181920
14. Purrs (5)
8. Groom your mate (5)
18. Not odds (5)
13. Chain of flowers hung in a curve between
points (7)
15. Pager? (6)
21. Picturing the crime scene? (13)
16. Could be of forensic/DNA value (5)
22. Leaf collecting? (6)
17. A method of determining power bill? (6)
23. Puts in place to work (6)
20. Part of shirt collar (5)
21
2223
Answers: Across: 1. Alters. 4. Images. 9. Military Cross. 10. Umpired. 11. Brake. 12. Goofy.
14. Meows. 18. Evens. 19. Allures. 21. Photographing. 22. Raking. 23. Aligns. Down:
1. Armour. 2. Telephone book. 3. Rotor. 5. Macabre. 6. Global warming. 7. System. 8. Bride.
13. Festoon. 15. Beeper. 16. Hairs. 17. Usages. 20. Lapel.
19. Rest on one’s broken laurels and attracts
someone (7)
1011
April 2011
99
PoliceNews
The Voice of Police
documentary series, NZ Detectives: in pursuit
of the truth.
The book is generally chronological, starting
with tales from retired detectives providing
snippets of information from cases they
worked on in the 1960s. It goes on to cover
major crime in the late 1990s and early
2000.
Book review:
NZ Detectives: True stories from
the New Zealand Police Criminal
Investigation Branch
Author: John Lockyer.
Published by Penguin Books.
RRP $42.00 (Available from most good
book stores).
Reviewed by John Williams.
Based on a series of interviews conducted
with past and present detectives, this book
is an off-shoot of the three-part television
Each detective talks about four or five
cases in which they were involved and,
more specifically, identify the vital bits of
information or evidence crucial to solving the
case. Not all the stories are from detectives
of the Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB)
kind, as there are accounts from two
forensic scientists and a fingerprint expert
detailing their contribution to solving crime
and explaining the developments in their
professions.
I believe the book actually benefits from
acknowledging their skills as it provides some
investigative variation. It was interesting to
find that some investigations are referred to
on more than one occasion, as in the case
of the “Rainbow Warrior” bombing. However,
different investigators referring to their part
of the inquiry does not come across as
repetitious as, in the main, they present an
alternative perspective.
The author has adopted a writing style that
suits this collection of evidential anecdotes as
APRIL MAY
he manages to create an even tone, while at
the same time, capturing the story by relating
some of the idiosyncrasies of the contributing
detectives.
It’s an interesting read and, as a by-product to
highlighting the detective’s tales, it manages
to capture the changing face of New Zealand
crime over a 40-year span.
Crime is a crude and cruel subject matter
and the ruthlessness of offenders and the
damage they cause to society is frankly
portrayed. Nostalgically, I identified with the
earlier chapters but preferred reading the
later chapters with the extra detail and fuller
account of cases. If you are into short stories
and haven’t seen the TV documentary series
on which this book is based, then it is well
worth a read.
“We must become that, which we wish
to see.”
- Mahatma Gandhi.
“In prosperity, our friends know us; in
adversity, we know our friends.”
- John Churton Collins.
“Many of the great achievements of
the world were accomplished by tired
and discouraged men who kept on
working.”
Author unknown (but he/she knew a thing or two).
JUNE
PAIHIA............................................ 5-7, 16, 20-21, 25..........................................2-3, 19-21, 23-26, 29-31.........................................1-2, 6-9, 12-16, 19-23, 26-30
STANMORE BAY.............................. 6-7, 10-17, 25-26, 28.....................................1-6, 8-31..................................................................1-11, 15-30
AUCKLAND..................................... 12, .................................................................Fully booked.............................................................2, 6-8, 13-16, 19-24, 27
WAIHEKE ISLAND............................ 25...................................................................11, 23-26, 29-31......................................................1-2, 7-9, 12-16, 19-23, 26-30
WHANGAMATA................................ 5-6, 10, 21, 25................................................1-5, 8-12, 15-18, 21-31...........................................1-2, 6-30
MT MAUNGANUI............................. 5,6, 14, 25......................................................1-5, 8-12, 16-19, 22-26, 29-31................................1-2, 6-9, 12-16, 19-30
OHOPE............................................ 5, 13, 25.........................................................1-5, 9, 11-13, 22-31.................................................1-2, 7-30
ROTORUA....................................... 5,6, 8-14, 25, .................................................1-5, 9-10, 12, 14-16, 19, 22, 24-26, 29-31..............1-3, 7-10, 12-14, 16, 18-30
TAUPO............................................ 5-13, 15, 25, ..................................................1, 4-5, 8-12, 21-27, 29-31.......................................1-2, 6-9, 13-16, 19-23, 26-30
TURANGI......................................... 5,6, 8, 11-15, 25, 30.......................................1-31.........................................................................1-2, 6-15, 19-24, 26-30
NAPIER........................................... 5,6, 11, 13-14, 25...........................................1-5, 9, 11-12, 15-17, 19, 24-26, 29-31....................1-2, 6-10, 12-16, 19-23, 27-30
PARAPARAUMU............................... 5-7, 13, ..........................................................3-6, 8-10, 17-19, 22-24, 27, 30-31..........................1-3, 7-9, 19-21, 27-30
GREYTOWN..................................... 6-7, 10-14, 28................................................1-5, 9-12, 16-19, 22-26, 29-31................................1, 7-8, 11-16, 19-23, 27-30
WELLINGTON.................................. 15, 22, 25.......................................................1-2, 4, 10, 22-24, 29-31...........................................1-2, 6-9, 19-23, 26-30
NELSON.......................................... 5-6, 11-13, 15-16, 21, 25...............................5-7, 9-13, 15-20, 22-25, 30-31................................1-2, 6-30
HANMER SPRINGS.......................... 7, 10-12, ........................................................15, 22-24, 26, 29, 31................................................1-3, 6, 9, 13-16, 19-22, 29-30
CHRISTCHURCH.............................. 10, 12, 25, 28-30............................................1, 7-12, 17-19, 22-24, 26-29, 31.............................1-8, 12-13, 16, 19-24, 26-30
AKAROA.......................................... 21, 25, ...........................................................3-4, 15-20, 22-26, 29-31.........................................1-2, 6-9, 13-16, 20-23, 26-30
TEKAPO.......................................... Fully booked...................................................15, 17-18, 23, 25.....................................................12, 20-23, 28-29
WANAKA......................................... 8-10, .............................................................11, 23, 25-26, 29-31................................................1-2, 6-11, 14-16, 19-22, 30
CROMWELL.................................... 7, 9, 25...........................................................1-5, 8-9, 12, 17-23, 25-29.......................................2, 6-14, 22-30
QUEENSTOWN................................ 5-6, 13, 15,.....................................................1-5, 9-16, 19, 24-25, 27-31.....................................1-2, 6-8, 12-16, 21-23, 29
TE ANAU......................................... 5-6, 11-14, 28-30...........................................1-5, 8-12, 14-15, 18-31...........................................1-2, 6-10, 12-30
DUNEDIN........................................ 12, 17, 26.......................................................3, 5, 10-12, 16-18, 22-25, 29-31.............................1-2, 12-16, 19-20, 22, 26-29
100
April 2011
New Zealand Police Association
Police Home Loan news
Winter-proofing your home – and your wallet
With the nights beginning to close in, autumn is the perfect time to get your
home ready for winter. Here are a few simple steps that will help you make
your home more comfortable, save money and protect your most valuable
investment.
Staying warm without
breaking the bank
1. Check your insulation. Many New
Zealand houses are poorly insulated,
which means lots of heat is lost
through roofs, walls and ceilings.
That’s a waste of the money you
spend heating your home in the
first place. Installing or topping up
existing insulation is usually a very
good investment – and you may also
be able to get a Government subsidy
of up to $1,300 (inc. GST) to help
with the cost (see: www. energywise.
co.nz).
2. Weatherproof your house. You can
also stop a significant amount of heat
escaping by sealing gaps around
doors and windows with inexpensive
draught strips, draught stoppers or
fillers, and installing thermal drapes for
your windows.
3. Review your heating options.
Consider replacing inefficient heating
options such as electric heaters with
more energy efficient ones such as
heat pumps –you’ll keep your home
warmer and save on power costs.
Simple household
maintenance
1. Clean your gutters/spouting. This will
help avoid overflow and seepage
from blocked gutters into your home.
Consider installing gutter guards to
help keep them clear.
2. Trim trees and foliage around the
house. This will let more sunlight into
your home and help reduce the risk of
damage in storms.
3. Check your roof for holes and rust,
and avoid costly water damage.
4. Move outside furniture inside if it’s
likely to deteriorate over the winter –
e.g. gas bottles that may be prone to
rust.
In the garden
1. Prune roses, hydrangeas and other
summer-flowering plants to encourage
new growth.
Review your finances
If your home loan is on a floating rate or
coming up for review shortly, talk to us
about how to structure your loan to suit
your situation. And make sure you’re
taking full advantage of the special Police
Home Loan Package, with exclusive
discounts that put more money in your
pocket.
Buying a new home or refinancing can
be an expensive process, even with
today’s lower interest rates. We aim
to make it easier on Police Welfare
Fund members’ pockets. So for the
time being those drawing down a new
Police Home Loan will be eligible for six
months free home insurance through the
Welfare Fund’s Police Fire & General
Insurance*.
Members eligible for the free cover
should contact our Member Services
Team on 0800 500 122. You will need a
copy of your loan document from
The National Bank or ANZ.
A recipe for success
Now is also a great time to enjoy the
abundance of autumn fruits like apples,
pears, nectarines and more. One
sure-fire way to use them is in an oldfashioned fruit crumble. There are many
variations, but here’s a quick and easy
recipe:
What:
2 cups stewed fruit (use your favourite
fruit or a combination of fruits)
1 cup plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
¼ cup sugar
50g butter
How:
Stew the fruit (simmer over a low heat in
a little water until tender and add sugar to
taste), and put it into an ovenproof dish.
Sprinkle brown sugar over it.
Sift the flour and baking powder into a
bowl, and cut in the butter (or rub it in
with your fingers) until the mixture looks
like coarse breadcrumbs. Stir in the
sugar and spread over the fruit.
Bake at 180 degrees for around 30
minutes until it turns golden. Serve with
cream or ice cream.
Contact us
For help with information about the
Police Home Loan Package:
• Visit any National Bank branch;
• Call us on 0800 782 836; or
• Email us at
[email protected]
Police Home Loan Package
ANZ or The National Bank – it’s your
choice
Whether you’re refinancing, buying your
first home, selling, investing in property,
building or looking for ways to manage
your current home loan – a Police Home
Loan through The National Bank or ANZ
may be able to help.
The Police Welfare Fund Home Loan
package provides attractive benefits to
Police Welfare Fund members and their
immediate family, like:
•No Home Loan application fee
•A contribution of $500 towards legal fees
For borrowing 80% or lower of a property’s
value:
•Discounted floating rates
•0.50% pa off the standard National Bank
or ANZ Flexible Home Loan interest rates
•0.25% off the standard fixed interest rates
Our Police Home Loan package is highly
competitive and flexible.
For more information or to apply for the Police
Home Loan Package visit
www.policeassn.org.nz
2. Move delicate or sensitive potted
plants to sheltered areas or bring them
inside for the winter.
3. It’s time to plant winter vegetables or
winter cover/mulch such as mustard
seed or lupins, which can be dug back
into the soil in spring
This material is provided as a complimentary service of ANZ National Bank Limited. It is prepared based on information and sources ANZ believes to be reliable. Its content is for information only, is subject to
change and is not a substitute for commercial judgement or professional advice, which should be sought prior to acting in reliance on it. To the extent permitted by law ANZ disclaims liability or responsibility to
any person for any direct or indirect loss or damage that may result from any act or omissions by any
person in relation to the material.
Package details are subject to change. The National Bank’s eligibility and lending criteria, terms,
conditions, and fees apply. The National Bank of New Zealand, part of ANZ National Bank Limited.
The National Bank and ANZ’s lending criteria, terms, conditions and fees apply. For
borrowing over 80% of a property’s value, a low equity premium on a graduated
scale will apply, and a registered valuer’s report will be required. Eligibilty to apply for
a Police Home Loan package is at the discretion of the Police Welfare Fund Limited
and applicants must be current members of the Fund. This home loan package is not
available for low documentation home loans or loans approved through a broker. For
a copy of The National Bank or ANZ Disclosure Statement and full details (including
terms and conditions) contact any branch of The National Bank of New Zealand (part
of ANZ Bank Limited) nor the ANZ.
*Police Fire & General Insurance will be subject to the standard underwriting
terms and conditions and is provided through the Police Welfare Fund not by
The National Bank or ANZ. Members are eligible for one period of six months free
Police Fire & General Home Insurance premium only, per member, regardless of the
term of Police Home Loan taken. Police Fire & General Insurance is underwritten by
Lumley General Insurance (NZ) Limited.
03-2011
April 2011
101
PoliceNews
The Voice of Police
Write 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 good
reason for anonymity. The editor reserves the right to edit, abridge or decline letters without explanation. Email to: [email protected] or
write it to the Editor at PO Box 12344, Wellington. Letters under 400 words are preferred.
Support and prayers from Staffordshire
Police Federation
The Police Super
Scheme and Kiwisaver
I am writing to you as a fellow police officer
from Staffordshire Police in England to offer
my prayers and thoughts to all your members
and their families, who have been caught up in
the devastating earthquake that hit the fine city
of Christchurch.
The Police Association needs to consider the
disadvantage of staff enrolled in the Police
Superannuation Schemes compared to
members of the public in Kiwisaver.
I was in Christchurch visiting family a few
weeks before the earthquake hit. I’ve been
shocked by the pictures of devastation.
Thankfully, other than being a bit battered
and bruised, my family escaped relatively
lightly. They have told me about the bravery
and dedication displayed by your members, as
well as those of the other emergency services.
Their commitment to their duty and rescuing
others despite not knowing, in some instances,
whether their own families or homes were
safe, shows incredible professionalism.
They have displayed the finest attributes of
bravery, professionalism and dedication to
the public that highlights the spirit of the
worldwide policing family, as well as the Kiwi
attitude, which will see the job through to
ensure that great city of Christchurch not only
survives but also gets stronger.
My own thoughts and prayers and those of my
colleagues I represent remain with you, your
members and their families at this difficult time.
David Stubbs,
(Staffordshire Police Federation, UK)
Unselfish toil
As I respond to the appeal for donations to the
police officers of Christchurch who unselfishly
toil on in horrendous conditions despite their
own lives and material assets being terribly
impacted by this disastrous earthquake, I feel
the pride of having been part of a Police service
that in my view stands out as one of the best
in the world.
The fact that police officers respond so totally
to the needs of others is nothing new to New
Zealanders. Even in crime situations, police
work long, demanding hours when many of
them have young families at home wondering
when Mum or Dad will be home again to do
what parents do.
My very best wishes to all of them. My respect
goes out to the NZ Police Association, which is
so pragmatic and efficient when police officers
are under stress.
Gerry Cunneen
(Wellington)
102
April 2011
The latest Police statement (updated in
12/2009) details the benefits of Kiwisaver
that are not received by Police members; the
$1,000 kick-start and $20 weekly tax credits.
The statement fails to include the benefits
that would be of most advantage to a
large (and increasing) proportion of Police
members. These are the ability to withdraw
all contributions for the purpose of a first
home deposit and the option of mortgage
diversion of personal salary superannuation
contributions.
We all know that the latest wage round
resulted in a freeze in salaries. It hasn’t come
out whether changes to the Police Super
Scheme were on the table - changes to more
closely reflect the advantageous aspects of
Kiwisaver. These changes would not put any
more pressure on the Police budget yet would
(for those eligible) be in effect a rise of 7% in
real terms - assuming that the member took
up the option of mortgage diversion for their
7% of personal salary contributions. There
would be added benefits from the resulting
decrease in total mortgage size and repayment
rates of withdrawing all cumulative personal
contributions to date for the purpose of a
home loan deposit.
A conservative estimate would equate these
benefits to equal at least 10% of our current
salary. This would halve the amount of a our
final super payout but any financial adviser
of substance would recommend that you pay
off debt before saving (unless you can find an
investment that pays at least 30% (tax rate)
over the current mortgage rate of the home
owner and consistently for the term of the
loan) – and good luck in finding one of those.
In the latest Police statement, it is argued
that members currently have the ability to
withdraw contributions towards their current
scheme. However, the current scheme has
quite limited funds that are able to be released
to the point where all contributions made by
a member are not automatically able to be
released, unless that member has not made a
partial withdrawal up to that point.
I believe the Association should fight for
these benefits to be achieved and Police
management should view the benefits in a
positive light. Mortgage diversion and deposit
withdrawal would not cost the Police a single
cent extra, yet would be a huge boost to the
financial position of entitled members and
a huge benefit off which we could leverage
recruitment marketing.
James Renwick
(Avondale)
The war on drugs and
the value of education
Over the years I have come to the conclusion
that the war on drugs is, and will remain,
futile because the “cause” of the business is the
customer. Trying to cut the supply chain is like
trying to kill a worm by cutting it in half. Since
the popularising of taking recreational drugs
(other than alcohol) was developed during the
hippie era, the profit available from the sale
of what are in the main, cheaply produced
chemicals, will guarantee that when you lock
up one supplier, another is going to take his/
her place. The trade is fuelled by the customers
who are, in the main, unwilling to confront the
wider ramifications of their indulgence.
I believe that the ultimate solution will be that
we somehow (and I don’t have the answers)
educate our children so that they will resist
any temptation to inject or ingest the range of
harmful substances available now and in the
future.
Generally speaking, I believe that very few
users would have started on their habits as the
result of the activities of a supplier. They have
either learned it from other family members or
come under peer pressure to “try this”.
I don’t see it as the role of the Police to be
the educators. It is the role of leaders within
the community and families to bring about
a different way of thinking in order to effect
change. It is a mammoth task but needs to be
done.
I’m not suggesting that locking up the suppliers
is unnecessary because organised crime has
to be interrupted as much as possible. The
only way to make a significant difference is
to remove the reason why the business exists,
and that is; customer demand.
Also, I do not go along with any suggestions to
legalise any drug other than alcohol, no matter
how loud the noise in favour of such a move
becomes. There is evidence that marijuana is
harmful. As specific research is carried out, it
New Zealand Police Association
is becoming clearer that the “less harmful than
alcohol or tobacco” opinion is far from the
truth regarding marijuana.
Les Sharp
(New Plymouth)
The Viking Prayer
Look, there, do I see my fathers.
Look, there, do I see my mothers and my sisters
and my brothers.
Look, there, do I see the line of my people back to
the beginning.
They bid me take my place amongst them in the
Halls of Valhalla.
Where the brave may live, Forever.
These words above are known as The Viking
Prayer.
The line of our people began long ago - the
gatekeepers and guardsmen, entrusted with
the safety of the people, watchers and sentinels
all of them.
We are called the thin blue line. We will be
found in the inky blue darkness. Watching
into the shadows. Standing firm.
Our authority and dominion is carefully
guarded - we change as society changes,
sometimes reminding of things proper and
sometimes reminded of things proper.
We are not soldiers or warriors, we are
something different.
We are few, but omnipotent, not gods, but
people.
We will go into the dark places and in those
dark places we will deal with the wicked
things.
We choose to do this of our own free will - we
are not fearless. We are determined, for we are
entrusted, even unto death.
We are constables and that is our name.
Nick Hall
(Auckland)
John Key’s cruel words
I was appalled and very saddened to read that
John Key criticised police, who, like many,
many others, are working hard in the midst of
a national tragedy.
Mr Key had the audacity to say: “The slow
progress in making public the names of those
killed in the earthquake is farcical”. How
utterly cruel.
Correct identification is a very difficult process
and involves many issues - privacy, culture,
notifying family, time, science etc. How
devastating for a family to be told their loved
one is dead and then told: “Oh, there’s been
a mistake and they are alive.” Or to find out
they have been given the wrong body because
identification was rushed. Such emotional seesaws in times of grief must be avoided at all
costs.
The Police are doing what they always do,
a thorough, ‘gut wrenching’ job. Yes, they
want families to know as quickly as possible
but mistakes made in this most sensitive
of all situations would have devastating
consequences.
“The Fox”
outfoxed in
Timor Leste
Did Mr Key notice the face of the police officer
wiping away his tears? What a terrible injustice
done to our police from none other than the
Prime Minister. Right Honourable John Key?
Yeah Right!
Gail Lees
(Wellington)
Website for ex-members
I take this opportunity of informing your
members, particularly former members, that
a website has been launched for the exclusive
use of ex- members of New Zealand Police.
SOFTLYSOFTLY is the reality of a belief that
the innate camaraderie, which exists between
former Police members, could be greatly
enhanced by such a forum.
It is a given that current police officers and
former members are constantly under media
focus – with good and bad press. This, as a
former member, was never more evident than
when in a recent manuscript, retrospectively
assessing a homicide, the writer cast aspersions
about a deceased former member’s role in the
investigation.
Other than open media, there was no apparent
forum to voice the emotion and dismay those
who had worked with that former officer felt –
SOFTYTSOFTLY seeks to fill that void.
The
website
creators
intend
that
SOFTLYSOFTLY be a site which promotes
meaningful discussion and provides a
dedicated forum for information spanning a
wide range of topics – current affairs, topical
Police issues, family notices, sport, hunting,
fishing, travel, or as a local or regional bulletin
board.
I am particularly enthused that we will have
ex-pat members – so be prepared to be thrilled
and enlightened by those who have chosen
to leave our shores. Throw in heaps of old
reminiscences, enjoy a thread which features
the lighter side of life and hopefully we have
the mix right.
In the theme of the website, we have sought,
and continue to seek, ex-members with
business interests or who offer professional
services as forum advertisers.
For those interested in the details and how to
register as a subscriber, please visit: www.
softlysoflty.co.nz
Geoff Downey
(Auckland)
• Legendary South Island detective Michael
“The Fox” Bracegirdle from Dunedin
(pictured) thought he could keep his
recent 50th birthday a secret from his
colleagues in Timor Leste (East Timor),
where he is on deployment with the United
Nations – he was wrong. He is working
as a community policing trainer at the
Police Academy. Police News understands
that the donning of a joker’s hat and
Mickey Mouse necklace were but the mere
beginning of the code of local justice that
was meted out to Mike over the evening.
- Photo supplied by Tuituia 12 – NZ Police.
All the evidence
points to
William Tell…
1. Evidence has been found that William Tell and his family were avid ten
pin bowlers. Unfortunately, all the
Swiss league records were destroyed
in a fire…And so we’ll never know for
whom the Tells bowled.
2. A man rushed into a busy doctor’s
office and shouted, “Doctor! I think I’m
shrinking!” The doctor calmly responded, “Now, settle down. You’ll just have
to be a little patient.”
3. A marine biologist developed a race
of genetically engineered dolphins
that could live forever if they were fed
a steady diet of seagulls. One day, his
supply of the birds ran out so he had to
go out and trap some more. On the way
back, he spied two lions asleep on the
road. Afraid to wake them, he gingerly
stepped over them. Immediately, he
was arrested and charged with...Transporting gulls across sedate lions for immortal porpoises.
April 2011
103
PoliceNews
The Voice of Police
High Court rules gang insignia ban technically unlawful
A ruling by the High Court that the
Wanganui City Council’s bylaw banning
gang insignia is unlawful and invalid will not
find favour with police officers but Police
News understands the ruling was based
on a technicality and will not prevent the
council from redrafting the law into a more
workable form.
In effect, the High Court ruled that
the Wanganui District Council went
beyond the intent of Parliament in
designating the specified areas for
the gang patch ban and that this
encroached on the gangs’ freedom
of expression.
With the bylaw banning gang
insignia throughout the wider
urban area of Wanganui, it had
effectively removed them from the
district and was therefore unlawful,
Justice Denis Clifford ruled.
Concerns
“In coming to these conclusions I
emphasise that I well understand
the concern the citizens of
Wanganui have with respect to the
adverse impact of gang violence
on their city in recent times.
Respite
Wanganui Police have effectively had an
18-month respite from gang troubles but
shortly after the ruling a gang brawl erupted
in the town. Police believe that many of those
involved were wearing gang patches but took
them off shortly before police arrived in order
to try and hide their affiliations.
may ultimately require Parliament to pass
even more far reaching laws in order to
show its citizens that the criminal bullies
who are the gangs will not be permitted to
extend their sphere of intimidation across
whole towns and cities. I would have
thought they could have considered such
broad issues in making their judgement.”
“We need to accept that the very democratic
system that these criminal gangs exploit and
thrive in, does necessarily guard against the
state abusing its power. However, in failing to
heed the clear intention of not only Parliament,
but also the locally elected council, the courts
may ultimately require Parliament to pass
even more far reaching laws in order to show
its citizens that the criminal bullies who are
the gangs will not be permitted to extend their
sphere of intimidation across whole towns
and cities. I would have thought they could
have considered such broad issues in making
their judgement.”
“There is, therefore, clearly an
opportunity for the council to reconsider the
question of an appropriate bylaw under the
act ...” Judge Clifford said in his judgement.
“We enforce the law, we don’t make it and
we respect the court’s findings,” Wanganui
Area Commander Inspector Duncan
MacLeod told Police News.
The Wanganui District Council
is understood to be considering
redrafting the law in light
of the court ruling. Former
Wanganui Mayor Michael Laws
is dumbfounded by the court’s
ruling, saying he found it hard to
accept. He said that Judge Denis
Clifford, who handed down the
decision, was “wrong in fact”. Mr
Laws said he would be urging both
the Wanganui District Council and
Wanganui Police to appeal the High
Court decision.
Hells Angels member appealed
An appeal against the ban was
taken by Auckland Hells Angels
- Police Association President Greg O’Connor.
gang member Philip Schubert,
who argued that the council had
exceeded the powers granted to
Police Association President Greg O’Connor
it by Parliament when it passed
said of the High Court decision: “We need
the Prohibition of Gang Insignia Bylaw in
to accept that the very democratic system
September 2009.
that these criminal gangs exploit and thrive
At the time the law was passed, Mr Laws
in, does necessarily guard against the state
said the council did take into account
abusing its power. However, in failing to heed
the issue of freedom of expression but
the clear intention of not only Parliament, but
felt that the wider interests of the public
also the locally elected council, the courts
outweighed those of the gangs.
Useful Information & Contacts
New Zealand Police Association:
For immediate industrial & legal advice
(on matters that cannot be deferred such as
Police shootings, fatal pursuits or deaths in
custody) ring 0800 TEN NINE
(0800 836 6463)
– 24 hour/seven days service
Police Network
44446
Websitewww.policeassn.org.nz
Freephone
0800 500 122Police Home Loans
0800 800 808
Police Health Plan/Police Fire and General Insurance Police Credit Union 0800 429 000
Quotes & information
0800 500 122
or (04) 472 9645
or Fax
(04) 496 6819Credit Union
www.policecu.org.nz
Police Fire and General Insurance claims 0800 110 088GSF information 0800 654 731
All enquiries
(04) 496 6800PSS information
0800 777 243
Vice Presidents
Stuart Mills Chris Cahill Regional Directors
(027) 268 9416
(027) 268 9411
Field Officers
Auckland District:Stewart Mills
Waitemata and Northland Districts:Steve Hawkins
Waikato, BOP and Eastern Districts:Graeme McKay
Central and Wellington Districts:
JJ Taylor
Tasman and Canterbury Districts:Dave McKirdy
Southern DistrictDave Steel
104
April 2011
(027) 268 9407
(027) 268 9406
(027) 268 9408
(027) 268 9409
(027) 268 9410
(027) 268 9427
Region One
Jug PriceWhangaparaoa
Region TwoDave Pizzini Counties-Manukau
Region ThreeWayne AberhartTauranga
Region FourLuke ShadboltHastings
Region FiveRon LekWellington
Region SixCraig PriorSydenham
Region Seven
Brett RobertsDunedin
(027) 268 9419
(027) 268 9413
(027) 268 9414
(027) 268 9415
(027) 268 9417
(027) 268 9412
(027) 268 9418