Police News Mar 07.indd - New Zealand Police Association

New Zealand Police Association• Constable Joanne Moratti painted cladding for the new Habitat for Humanity house.Constable Morattimucks in atmusic festivalHome renovation skills came in handy for a community constableat the recent Parachute Music Festival held at Mystery Creek,Hamilton.Constable Joanne Moratti spent two hours before her shift, helpingto paint a house built at the festival. She was one of more than 250volunteers who took part in the special Habitat for Humanity projectat some stage over three days from 26th to 28th January 2007.“It was great to be a part of it and meet new people,” said ConstableMoratti, who is based at the Hamilton North Community PolicingCentre.Bonus“It was a bit of a bonus that a couple of the ladies I was workingalongside lived in my area and I could promote NeighbourhoodWatch!”Constable Moratti was delighted to be thanked personally bya grateful Nancy Hughes who, along with husband Reti and fiveyoung children, will receive the house from Habitat for HumanityWaikato.Habitat for Humanity is a Christian not-for-profit organisationthat builds and renovates simple, decent and affordable homes inpartnership with low-income families who cannot secure a loan ormortgage by normal means.After the festival, Habitat for Humanity Waikato transportedthe house to a section in Huntly for completion. As part of theprogramme, the Hughes family are required to give 500 hours oftheir own time, unpaid, into helping to build their house or helpthe organisation in other ways. After an initial rental period, theywill then have the option to purchase the house through affordablerepayments.• Nancy Hughes was thankful for Constable Moratti’s assistance inhelping with her family’s new home.Generosity appreciated“It was wonderful that Constable Moratti took time out of her busyschedule to assist in this high-profile event at the festival,” Habitatfor Humanity Executive Director, Elgin Graham said.“Habitat for Humanity provides a unique opportunity for all sectorsof society to pull together for the common good. There is a greaterunderstanding that comes from working alongside each other. Also,families who have a home to call their own can put down roots inthe local community. In the process we all benefit.” Elgin said.March 200729

home or community detention. Indeed, giventhe essential role Police inevitably play in there-arrest of parole violators such as GraemeBurton, it seems extraordinary that the word“Police” is mentioned only six times in theBill’s 145 clauses. Even in the Bill’s regulatoryimpact statement, the Police receive shortshrift, with just a single, brief paragraphstating that the introduction of home detentionas a sentence will require only “one-offfunding for changes to the Police InformationTechnology system”.As 70 new probation officers will needto be hired to monitor offenders servingnon-custodial sentences, it could be askedwhether the Bill has made an adequateassessment of the additional resources Policemight require to apprehend abscondingoffenders? As the Corrections parole figuressuggest, it would be naive to assume that alloffenders will abide by the conditions of theirnon-custodial sentence. It is inevitable thatsome offenders will abscond and will requirepolice action to apprehend them.Wider social issuesBeyond the issues of surveillance and arrest,there is also a range of wider social issuesto consider. For instance, offenders grantedhome detention could be serving theirsentence at home with family, exposing youngchildren to the influences of a negative rolemodel, which would not otherwise occur if theNew Zealand Police Associationoffender were imprisoned. Further work mayalso need to be done on whether offenderson home detention will have the meansto support themselves while serving theirsentence.What happens next?Public submissions on the CriminalJustice Reform Bill close on 16 March andthe Association is currently preparing asubmission. A full text of the Bill can bedownloaded from the link below, and wewelcome any feedback from members.http://www.knowledge-basket.co.nz/gpprint/docs/bills/20060931.txtReview by leading firm says WOVMcost-benefit analysis is soundBy Steve Plowman, Editor,Police NewsA cost-benefit analysis of the Government’sprospective Whole of Vehicle Markingpolicy, has been given the green light byleading accounting and consultancy firm,PricewaterhouseCoopers after it reviewedcostings provided by Data Dot TechnologyLimited.WOVM has been the subject of debatebetween prospective providers and transportanalysts on the one hand and industry groupssuch as the Motor Industry Associationand the Ministry of Transport on the other.The debate revolves around the cost ofmicrodotting and the logistics of applying themicrodots to nearly 200,000 imports per year.Mandatory for new importsThe Government has been consideringmaking WOVM mandatory for new imports ofpassenger cars and light commercial vehicles,both new and used, which are less than15 years old as part of a set of initiatives toreduce burgeoning vehicle theft. The fitting ofengine immobilisers to all imported vehicleshas also been mooted to deter opportunisticthefts.Cabinet was due to consider a cost-benefitanalysis, provided by its own consultant, asthis issue went to press.Car thefts cost $80 million per year andrepresent 17% of all crime. Last year vehicletheft offences rose by 15.5% to 24,089, andthis followed a 20% rise the previous year.One in five stolen vehicles are recovered.WOVM involves the application ofapproximately 10,000 microdots, eachcontaining a vehicle’s unique VehicleIdentification Number (VIN), to many partsof the vehicle. It has been proven to deterorganised vehicle theft and the subsequent‘re-birthing’ of vehicles. The dots are readwith a special ultraviolet magnifying torch.Link to other crimePolice intelligence suggests organised cartheft/rebirthing gangs use the proceeds oftheir operations to finance drug deals andother criminal activity.PriceWaterhouse Coopers found that, basedon reasonable assumptions of market growth,theft prevention and vehicle value, that themandatory WOVM policy will exceed the costsby year six, and become progressively moreevident thereafter.The analysis found that the private sectorbenefits would include fewer vehicle theftsgenerally; substantially fewer vehicle theftsdue to organised crime; reduced personaltrauma associated with vehicle theft and lowerinsurance premiums for vehicle owners whohave had WOVM applied.The public sector, benefits would come viamore effective and efficient policing (therebyfreeing up Police resources), improveddetection, prosecution and greater value fortax expenditures allocated to the Police.• Whole of Vehicle Marking data dots shownagainst a magnified pinhead.MOT concernsThe Ministry of Transport has said thatit wants to get the WOVM protocols andimplementation right and that New Zealandwould still be the first country in the world tohave mandatory WOVM. The Ministry’s mainconcern has been around not slowing downthe importation of vehicles or the imposition ofwhat it’s spokesman, Leo Mortimer, recentlycalled “horrendous compliance costs.”PriceWaterhouseCoopers referred to thecost-benefit analysis as “comprehensive” butsaid there was further opportunity to considerwhether a standard in relation to WOVM isrequired and its cost; the costs of publicisingthe scheme; and the impact of enforcementactivity. PWC said that none of the abovefactors were likely to “materially impactthe decision whether or not to implementmandatory marking of vehicles” but that theywould need to be considered as part of aRegulatory Impact Statement.March 200731

PoliceNewsOur job is…The Voice of PolicePolice chat groups sometimes attractindividuals who wish to vent about policebehaviour and a recent reply to a moaner onone went as follows…• Your five-year-old kid getting pusheddown by another five-year-old kid is nota Police matter; talk to the other kid’sparents, not the Police.• If your kid won't do his homework or dohis chores, 111 is not the answer.• If a cop causes a car accident we usuallyget a ticket, and sometimes we getsuspended. When is the last time yougot suspended for rear-ending a guy atMcDonalds?Policing in the Middle EastPolice Association Insurances Supervisor, Christine Connelly, recently returned from a holiday in theMiddle East, where she had an opportunity to observe policing in the region.What she found was heavily armed police officers, constantly monitoring any suspicious activities.Christine reported an incident on the Nile River when their tourist boat (known locally as “feluccas”)was turned back because the tourist operator had strayed beyond his normal route.Two types of policeIn Egypt there are two types of police – Tourist Police, who are dressed in white and patrol areas likethe pyramids and sphinx - and the “real” Police who dress in beige and carry Uzi sub-machineguns.“You cannot travel very far at all without seeing a vehicle parked with at least two or three policeofficers in it, either inside or hanging around outside the vehicle, invariably smoking cigarettes,”Christine told Police News.Taking photos of police officers is strictly forbidden – although Christine managed to get a covertpicture or two in with an expertly concealed zoom lens.• We know you've had more than twobeers. When I've had two beers, I didn'thit six parked cars, drive my car throughthe front doors of a shop or pass out at atraffic light.• When you see an emergency vehiclebehind you with its lights and sirens on,pull to the left, and stop. We are usuallyrequired to pass cars on the right.• If you get a warning instead of a ticketfrom a road policing officer, go buy alottery ticket, because you've alreadybeaten the odds.• Here's how to get out of a ticket. Don'tbreak the law.• If you drive a piece of crap, that is whyyou're getting pulled over.• Not exactly the Lady Liz. A Police boat on the Nile is pretty basic but functional for thewaters it has to work in.• If you've just been pulled over doing100 kph in a 50 kph area, do not greetthe officer with, "What seems to be theproblem, officer?"• Some cops are just jerks, but take heartin the fact that other cops don't like themeither.• If it's night and you're driving a vehiclewith tinted windows and I pull you over,it's not because of your skin colour. Iusually can't tell if the vehicle even has adriver until the window is rolled down.• Every time you hear on the news aboutpeople running away from a crazedgunman, someone's son or daughter ina police uniform is running toward thatcrazed gunman.• The Dubai Police are well equipped with typical patrol cars being Nissan Pathfinders.32March 2007

New Zealand Police Association• Another recent visitor to Cairo was Sergeant Craig Dobson (Bay of Plenty Police District Headquarters). Craig (left) managed to coerce a“camel cop” at the Giza pyramid plateau into posing for a picture with him. Craig and his wife Lorraine said the biggest adjustment was interms of getting used to “all the guns” (to protect Egypt’s tourism mainly). The Dobsons said on one day they had to pass through 13 metaldetectors.• With concerns about potentialterrorist activities, Egyptian Police areroutinely and heavily armed.• Turkish Police don’t have much troublewith parking, thanks to fairly compactpatrol cars.March 200733

PoliceNewsThe Voice of PolicePolice Minister honours 35-year serviceveterans in Parliament’s Grand HallPolice Minister, Annette King, paid tributeto 16 police officers from the Ted HothamCadet Wing (Wing No. 16) during their reunionrecently to mark their 35-year continuousservice to NZ Police.Ms King presented the officers with theNew Zealand Police 35-year Clasp to theLong Service and Good Conduct Medal, inParliament’s Grand Hall.The officers started training at the TrenthamPolice Training School on 26 January1972. Twenty-two of the 77 members whograduated from the then 19-month cadetcourse remain in the Police, but only 18 had35 years of consecutive service, making themeligible for the clasp. Two were unable toattend the ceremony.Tremendous contributionAssistant Police Commissioner, PeterMarshall, paid tribute to the officers, sayingthat they “and their families” had devoteda “tremendous amount of their lives to thePolice”. Commissioner of Police, HowardBroad, was unable to attend.Mr Marshall, who stood in for theCommissioner, said the organisation hadgained immensely from their long-termcommitment. “It means we grow with theinsight and wisdom that only experience canbring and today they hold key positions ofinfluence in the organisation,” Mr Marshallsaid.Police Minister, Annette King, said it wasa “privilege to recognise the great serviceand good conduct of the officers of the TedHotham Cadet Wing” when she presentedthem with their 35-year Clasp.Ms King told the group: “Back when youbegan training in 1972, expectations of youmust have been high with a patron who hadsuch an influence on police training.” (Editor’snote: Ted Hotham had spent 36 years inthe Police and shortly after retiring as theCommandant of the Trentham Police TrainingSchool, he was appointed Wing patron).Patron’s speechdealings with the public, particularly insituations of stress, must always be fair andimpartial. Remember, that the public willclosely watch every action and that the wholePolice Service will be judged by your actions.”Ms King drew comparisons between thetraining of 35 years ago and today’s training,saying that the Ted Hotham Wing did 19months training compared to today’s intakesof five months. The longer training period hadmeant the cadets were “spoilt for choice” interms of their sporting endeavours and variety,such as a week spent in the bush learningbushcraft, search and rescue techniques,stretcher carrying, river crossings and a nightcompass exercise. Ms King said this typeof training had enhanced team building andleadership.Young cadetsThe cadets, mostly around 17 years of age,also did community work to broaden theirunderstanding of the communities in whichthey lived, including stints at the Home ofCompassion, the Intellectually HandicappedMiss King quoted from Ted Hotham’s speechon the Wing’s graduation day, saying hiswords were as relevant today: “Your conductmust be exemplary at all times, and your• Members of the Ted Hotham Wing pictured outside Parliament’s Grand Hall.34Marchy 2007

Children’s Home in Silverstream; theDepartment of Social Welfare’s KohitereTraining Centre for delinquent boys; and theLake Alice Mental Hospital, including themaximum security villa.Ms King said that the members of the TedHotham Wing were the first to undertake thetwo-week driver training course, which hadpreviously been done after cadets graduatedas constables. They were also one of thefirst Wings to have a Colour Party at theirgraduation parade.Ms King praised the contribution to society,which Wing members and their families hadmade during their lengthy service. She thenpresented the 16 members present with theirClasps.The 18 recipients of the Clasp were:Inspector Brent Holmes (Auckland), DetectiveSergeant Mel (Alan) Ridley, Senior ConstableDave Pettinger and Senior Constable Tiny(Phillip) Taylor (Bay of Plenty), Sergeant LesClarke and Sergeant Noel Bigwood (CentralNorth Island), Sergeant Steve Hughes, SeniorConstable Jim Veale, Sergeant RodgerHough and Senior Sergeant Mark Davidson(Wellington), Inspector Bazz (Kevin) Bailey andSuperintendent Alistair (Olly) Beckett (RoyalNZ Police College), Senior Sergeant PeterLaloli, Senior Constable Keith Rose, InspectorKieren Kortegast and Detective SergeantJohn Sjoberg (Canterbury), Detective SeniorSergeant Michael Whitehead (Waikato) andSergeant Bob (Robert) Gordon (Eastern NorthIsland).Superintendent Olly Beckett paid tribute toGregory Rowe, Daryl Bissett, Kevin Bocockand Robert Paterson, original Wing colleagueswho had since passed away. He said it hadbeen 15 years since the Wing’s last reunion.Strong bondsMr Beckett said that Wing members hadforged strong bonds throughout their serviceand they had worked within many areas ofPolice, also having given valuable service ona wide variety of overseas postings such asthe Solomon Islands, Bougainville, Papua NewGuinea, Timor Leste (East Timor), Fiji, KualaLumpur, Vancouver, Turkey, WashingtonDC, and Spain. They had been involved inpolicing major national events such as the1981 Springbok Tour, the 1974 and 1980Commonwealth Games (Christchurch andAuckland respectively) and international eventsincluding CHOGM, APEC, and the America’sCup. Mr Beckett also paid tribute to the activeinvolvement of members of the Wing in publicservice, including local body politics, as PoliceAssociation representatives and for their workin the Police Council of Sport.Mr Beckett said that their families had made“an enormous commitment” in allowing fortheir work and some family members hadeven followed them into policing.Several had received the country’s highestawards for their work, including SeniorSergeant Mark Davidson who was awardedthe Charles Upham Award for Bravery and theRoyal Humane Society Bronze Medal in 1981for saving a deranged hospital patient, whowas hanging from a slippery roof. Mr Davidsonhung on to the man for several minutes,despite the wind and rainy conditions, untilhelp arrived. He was also awarded the NewZealand Police Gold Merit Award in 1993 foroverpowering an armed suicidal man whohad just killed another person. Most recently,he was awarded the Queen’s Service Medalfor Public Services in the 2007 New YearHonours.New Zealand Police AssociationNew Year’s HonoursJoining him in this year’s New Year HonoursList was Superintendent Olly Beckett, whowas named a Member of the New ZealandOrder of Merit for his services to the Policewhile Inspector Brent Holmes received theQueen’s Service Medal for public serviceduring the 2000 Queen’s Birthday Honours.Mr Holmes was also a recipient of the NewZealand (1990) Commemoration Medal(given to 3,632 people in 1990 in recognitionof their contribution to New Zealand life), aPolice Commissioner’s Bronze Merit Award in1996 for his work on CHOGM; and a PoliceCommissioner’s Commendation in 2004 forhis work on RAMSI in the Solomon Islands.Others in the Ted Hotham Cadet Wingwho have received Police CommissionerAwards for their work include: SergeantNoel Bigwood, who received a Police SilverMerit Award in 1988 when he rescued andrevived a man who had come in to contactwith electricity supply lines; DetectiveSergeant Mel (Alan) Ridley, who received aCommissioner’s Commendation in 1998 forhis work on the Bluett homicide (Mr Ridley is aPolice Association Director); Detective SeniorSergeant Michael Whitehead who received aCommissioner’s Commendation in 2001 forhis work on Operation River (a kidnapping androbbery case); Inspector Bazz (Kevin) Bailey,who received a Police Silver Merit Award in2003 for his leadership of the 5th East Timorcontingent; and Senior Constable Tiny (Phillip)Taylor, who received a Commissioner’sCommendation in 2005 for his work as aNarcotic Detector Dog Handler.Recruits try the easy pass route and end up sackedIf you think NZ Police has had its fair shareof recruitment problems at times thenspare a thought for Cobb County Police, inGeorgia, USA – county officials sacked awhole recruit wing recently after they werefound to have collectively cheated on a test.“Not much shocks me after 35 years in thisbusiness, but I was shocked,” said MickeyLloyd, Cobb’s Public Safety Director.A police academy instructor caught tworecruits comparing answers during a writtenexam. A subsequent inquiry revealed that all20 recruits had cheated. Most of the recruitsadmitted to cheating when asked about it,Lloyd said.100% pass rate?“They’d got together and decided none ofthem was going to fail,” he said.It’s not clear how the recruits cheated, thoughLloyd said they did not steal the test. Theywould not face criminal charges. The recruitswere five weeks into a 22-week trainingprogramme.The news “dismayed” Cobb County PoliceCommissioner, Helen Goreham, but shepraised the swift response in drumming outthe recruits suspected of cheating.“Integrity with our police officers issomething we do not skimp on,” she said.“The level of service our officers provide thecitizenry is top-notch. We will not toleratean incident of this type.”And they didn’t – all 20 cheaters weresacked, as fast as you could have said“graduation”.March 200735

PoliceNewsThe Voice of PoliceSecond holiday home at GreytownYou are probably apolice officer if…You have the bladder capacity of five people.You conduct a criminal record check onanyone who seems friendly towards you.You believe in the aerial spraying of Prozacand birth control pills.You disbelieve 90% of what you hear and75% of what you see.You have your weekends off planned for ayear.You refer to your favourite restaurant by theintersection at which it’s located.• The 51st holiday home (pictured) to be added to the Police Association’s holiday homeportfolio was recently completed in Greytown and is now available for occupancy.You ever had to put the phone on hold beforeyou begin laughing uncontrollably.You think caffeine should be available in IVform.You believe anyone who says, “I only had twobeers” is going to blow more than the legallimit.You find out a lot about paranoia just byfollowing people around.Anyone has ever said to you: “There arepeople killing other people out there and youare here bothering me.”People flag you down on the street and askyou directions to strange places...and youknow where they’re located.You can discuss where you are going to eatwith your partner while standing over a deadbody.• The new unit is identical to the existing holiday home and is set in a quiet area with easyaccess to the lovely country town of Greytown.A wee matter of privacyAll police officers will be familiar with comingacross arrestees who can freely quote legislationas nauseum about “their rights” once they’vebeen apprehended.It seems there are a good many ‘bush’ lawyersamongst the criminal fraternity, all willing to givethe compensation gravy train a decent push ifthey can wrangle it.But Counties-Manukau Police had to check theyhadn’t misheard during one recent incident.Police searching for a man suspected of a recentmurder in Counties-Manukau finally arrestedthe fugitive in Thames but there was a gooddeal of eyebrow raising when he complainedto arresting officers that his “privacy” had beenbreached.Officers thought he must have been referringto the publication of his name prior to his arrestbut upon further questioning it was found hewas referring to the impounding of his wife’scar. He felt her privacy had been breachedbecause police had impounded the vehicle.The man didn’t seem to find the fact that hehad stolen the vehicle in the first place asbeing a possible bar to his alleged “breach ofprivacy”, as he put it.You are the only person introduced at socialgatherings by profession.You walk into places and people think itshigh comedy to seize their buddy and shout:“They’ve come to get you, Bill.”You believe that unspeakable evils will befallyou if anyone says: “Boy, it sure is quiettonight.”You find humour in other people’s stupidity.You have left more meals on the restauranttable than you’ve eaten.- Courtesy of the National Traffic Enforcement Network.36March 2007

Clues:Across:1. Drum with the Queen whilst a serious crime iscommitted (6)4. Brought in to help or assist (6)8. Oxford bibs a togetherness for a state of wellbeing (1,3,2,5)10. Angered blown apart by this explosive (7)11. In a bad place (3)12. In a north-east, between eight and ten (4)13. Buck shot full of money (3)14. Pig house east of inflammation (4)17. His Majesty Service (abbrev.) (1,1,1)18. I nail so I can represent my people (7)19. Emeralds I so put together to dampen spirit (11)20. Feasts the correct way with out risk (6)21. Amongst (6)Down:1. To help the elderly eat perhaps (5,2,6)2. Took apart and put together another way (11)3. Wears away (6)5. Merited (6)6. At the start (4,3,6)7. Its magic (11)9. A hundred industries put under examination (11)15. Points the finger at (6)16. Place for refugees perhaps (6)1 2 3 4 5 678 910 1112 13 1415 1617 18December answers:Across.12. Code1. Buckle13. Pry4. Deceit14. Able8. Namedropper 17. Air10. Ransoms 18. Tour car11. Sea19. Evil looking20. Scenes21. ClassyDown:1. Beneficiaries2. Camaraderie3. Lading5. Expose6. Threateningly7. Colourfully9. Raspberries15. Strive16. School1920 21Books are the carriers of civilization. Without books, historyis silent, literature dumb, science crippled, thought andspeculation at a standstill.- Barbara Tuchman“One generation plants the trees; another gets the shade.”- Chinese proverb.“The colossal misunderstanding of our time is the assumptionthat insight will work with people who are unmotivated to change.Communication does not depend on syntax, or eloquence, or rhetoric,or articulation but on the emotional context in which the message isbeing heard. People can only hear you when they are moving towardyou, and they are not likely to when your words are pursuing them.Even the ‘choices’ words lose their power when they are used tooverpower. Attitudes are the real figures of speech.”- Edwin H Friedman.March April MayPAIHIA............................................ 7 ....................................................................22,29,30..................................................................1,3,4,7-10,15-17,20-24,27-31STANMORE BAY ............................. 5,11-15,19-22,24-30 ....................................1-5,14-18,22-30 .....................................................1-31AUCKLAND .................................... 28 ..................................................................5,29,30....................................................................1,6,7,9,10,14-17,22-24,27-29WHANGAMATA ............................... 8,11,20,21,28 ................................................29,30.......................................................................1-3,6-31MT MAUNGANUI ............................ 27 ..................................................................15,18,26,29,30........................................................1-4,6-31OHOPE ........................................... 5,8-13,25,......................................................15,18,22,24-26,29,30 .............................................1-31ROTORUA ...................................... 5,12-14,19,21-24,28,29 ................................1-5,22-26,29,30......................................................1-3,6-10,13-17,20-31TAUPO ........................................... 7,20,21,26 .....................................................2-5,11,23,25,26,29, 30 ...........................................1-3,6-10,13-17,20-24,27-31TURANGI ........................................ 4-10 ..............................................................3-5,11,14,19-26,29,30............................................1-31NAPIER .......................................... 26 ..................................................................2-4,23, ....................................................................2-4,6-9,13-17,20-25,29-31PARAPARAUMU .............................. 4,13-15,18,19,22,26 .....................................3,4,16,17,22-25,29,30 ............................................1-4,7-13,16-31GREYTOWN .................................... 5-8,12,18-21,26-29 ......................................2-5,19,22,24-26,29,30............................................1-3,6-10,13-17,20-24,27-31WELLINGTON ................................. 18,21,22, .......................................................3-5,19,22,23,25, .....................................................2,3,7-9,13,14,18,21,22,28-31NELSON ......................................... Not available ..................................................5,28.........................................................................3,4,7-12,14-17,19-23,27-31HANMER SPRINGS ......................... 19,25,27-29 ..................................................3,4,19,25,26,29,30..................................................1-3,6,8-10,13-17,20,21,24-31CHRISTCHURCH ............................. 5,15,16,24, ....................................................24,26,30..................................................................1-3,6-8,12-17,20-31TEKAPO ......................................... 8,12,19,21,22,25,26,28,29 ............................23,26,29..................................................................2,3,10,11,13-17,20-24,27,30,31WANAKA ........................................ 5,20,24,25,29 ................................................2,13,24-26,29,30 ....................................................1-3,7,9,10,14-24,27-31CROMWELL ................................... 11,13, ............................................................5,23,24,29,30..........................................................1-13,15,16,21-31,QUEENSTOWN ............................... 28 ..................................................................................................................................................15,21,22,24,27,31TE ANAU ........................................ 4,9,11,27,30 ..................................................2,4,20-22,24,27-30.................................................1-6,8-10,12-14,17-31DUNEDIN ....................................... 5,12,13, .........................................................2,3,23-25,29,30 ......................................................1-3,6-10,13-16,20-23,28-31March 200737

PoliceNewsThe Voice of PoliceJudge’s comments “heartening”By Steve Plowman, Editor, Police NewsThe NZ Police Association has backed recentcomments by leading Family Court judge,Peter Boshier, about the inadequacy ofcurrrent law to make young offenders moreaccountable for their crimes.Judge Boshier made his remarks at the FosterCare Conference in Hamilton last month. Hesaid he was shocked at the level of crimebeing perpetrated by young offenders today,compared to when he first sat on the judicialbench nearly two decades ago.Current lawUnder current law children under the age of14 cannot be charged with crimes other thanmurder and manslaughter. They can only beplaced under the care of Child, Youth andFamily Services (CYFS).“Twelve-year-olds, many of whom arecommitting quite heavy crimes, need to bemore accountable than the present system isable to make them,” Judge Boshier said.NZ Police Association President, GregO’Connor, said he was “heartened” by JudgeBoshier’s remarks.Judge Boshier said many of the offenderswere neglected and abused and didn’t knowthe difference between right and wrong andhad no remorse. He said many came fromdysfunctional families where drug and alcoholabuse were rife. In some instances, thesefamilies used their children to commit crimesbecause they knew the law could not touchthe young person.He said many would be the murderers of thefuture.New Zealand First MP Ron Mark’s privatemember’s bill to lower the age of criminalresponsibility from 14 to 12, is due to bedebated in Parliament later this month.• Judge Peter Boshier.- Photo courtesy of The Dominion Post.“Many of the offenders we deal with havenever had any discipline or guidance in theirlives. Consequently, they behave like ourown children, or indeed our own family petswould if they had no discipline imposed onthem; totally out of control. Since the stateis now tasked with responsibility for theirbehaviour modification once they are caughtcommitting serious crimes, the discipline andsanction must be able to be imposed withabsolute authority, with the offender’s rightsbeing no greater than the rights of any otherchild. In other words, they must be able to bedisciplined, deprived of privileges, and subjectto basic parenting tools. The influences ofthe army of advocates, lawyers and otherstate-provided apologists must be confinedto protecting them from genuine physical andsexual abuse,” Mr O’Connor said.Neglect and abuseJudge Boshier said he was motivated to speakout because of his concern for the rights ofvictims, not the rights of offenders.• WELL PREPARED: Police Association Board of Directors’ meetings can have longagendas so Association Vice-President, Richard Middleton (pictured), arrived inWellington recently for a Board of Directors meeting kitted out for every eventuality– including, by the looks, a climb to the top of the nearby Tararua Ranges. Furtherinvestigation revealed that Richard and his daughter, Elisa, were actually on their wayhome from a tramping trip.38March 2007

New Zealand Police AssociationThis column is written by a frontlinepolice officer. It does not representthe views or policies of the PoliceAssociation.by Ricky CollinsG I JoeI see they have finally put out what we can and can’t do when we are supposedly‘off-duty’. I also see they mention what we should and shouldn’t do when we’vehad a few ales. Absolutely clear in the hard light of day but when you are inthe ‘middle of a pickle’ and having to make a split second decision, things cansometimes be a little murky or a Hell of a lot more ‘shades of grey’, rather thanthe black and white some people see the world in.Time will tell on this one but let’s hope commonsense prevails. And alwaysremember team, all of us rely on statute for our actions, not some ‘guidelines’.Now don’t get me wrong, I agree with the intention but we all know we areliving in a far from perfect world and sometimes it is the road less travelled orthe not so conservative approach that is proven to be the right way. Time willtell on this one and it will be interesting what draws the most attention – actionor inaction!Travel adviceI’ve heard quite a few comments from the troops about our ‘Number Ones’blog lately. The general gist, boss, is that the team think you have had asound start to your tenure in a shark-infested political world that makes veryfew of us want your job. Well done and keep up the good work.However, you need to be a bit careful with the ‘blog’ and what’s what, asmost of us don’t get to travel the world and we see it (the world) through avery different pair of glasses. Day in and out we are rubbing shoulders withthe mainstream, and in many cases not so mainstream. New Zealanders - ourvictims, our witnesses, our suspects and our children.The stuff we need to hear has to be topical and directed at the right level.Anyway, that’s my tuppence, for what its worth.Hooray!Another pat on the back for commonsense in respect to our drink drivingcommunity copper who tried all he could for those in dire need and thoughthe was doing the right thing. A lesson for us all on this one, but it was great tosee those at the castle taking a measured approach in their response.No doubt the boss and a few others with pips can take a bow for this one too.A pat on the back for ya all and a Speights bought by this lad the next timeyou are down in God’s Own. I’ll be the one with the balaclava and shaved legs- bet that’s got ya thinking!Life is a roller coasterWell a slow start for me beloved Red and Blacks with a loss to the Jaffas butremember we always come right at the business end of the season. Daniel,Rueben and the boys will be back by then and a ‘crusade’ will really take placeto ensure the silverware remains in the Deep South.Hope you all have Sky subs paid up, asshe’s gonna be a Hell of a season.See ya!We remember…Who passed away…The broad spectrum of RieslingEurowine is a national liquor distributor with a greatrange of New Zealand and international wines.One of their best portfolios is their New ZealandRieslings. I went along and tried a selection of theircurrent release Rieslings at a recent wine tastingand was impressed with what they had to offer.We tasted a wide range of wines, starting withdrier style Rieslings and moving through to the sweeter, medium style wines.This broad spectrum of sweetness levels in Riesling is what makes it sucha special grape variety. There is sure to be a style to suit most palates. Ipersonally prefer New Zealand Rieslings that retain a degree of residual sugar.I find that the off-dry to medium style New Zealand Rieslings are generallymore balanced, harmonious wines.I also noticed that most producers are now striving to produce Riesling withlower alcohol levels than we have seen in the past. This, along with Riesling’snatural higher acidity levels helps to produce a fresh, vibrant wine with a cleancrisp mouth feel. While we tried some very appealing Marlborough Rieslingson the night, I preferred the flavours and style of the Canterbury and Nelsonwines. Below are some notes on the three wines that stood out for me.Neudorf Brightwater Riesling 2006 RRP $22This is a fine, delicate wine made in a dry style. It has a distinct floral nose, withgrapefruit and lime flavours, along with some mineral influences. Unlike someof the drier style wines I’ve tasted recently, there was no awkwardness aboutit. This is a stylish wine that is excellent value for money.Pegasus Bay Riesling 2006 RRP $24Year in, year out this wine never fails to impress me. The level of sweetnesscan vary between vintages, but the style of wine is unmistakable. This latestvintage has the hallmark citrus fruits and mandarin flavours, with a hint ofspice and an effervescent zing on the finish. A portion of the fruit used tomake this wine has been affected by botrytis, which adds to the complexityof the wine, and adds a touch of honey to the mix. This is definitely my kindof Riesling.Muddy Water Riesling Unplugged 2006 RRP $24This is a step up again from the Pegasus Bay in terms of sweetness levels,with a massive 58 grams per litre of residual sugars. The wine is madeentirely from fruit affected by noblerot, resulting in a stunning wine withconcentrated citrus and tropical fruitflavours, a full rich mouth feel andexcellent length. This is an absolutebargain at this price, and testamentto the fact that New Zealand doesmake some fantastic sweeter styleRieslings.TIMMS James Matthew 1-Jan-07 Son of retired member LondonMcCOY Eileen Margaret 16-Jan-07 Wife of member NelsonROUGHAN William Thomas 4-Feb-07 Retired member WhangareiWEBB Hugh 7-Feb-07 Retired member NelsonSTANTON Elizabeth Irving 10-Feb-07 Former spouse of member ParaparaumuMATAROA Lobu 11-Feb-07 Husband of member HastingsWATSON Michael 12-Feb-07 Retired member Palmerston NorthW ESTON Evelyn Constance 16-Feb-07 Widow of member NapierEVANS Keith Owen 20-Feb-07 Retired member AucklandMarch 200739

POLICE COUNCIL OF SPORTTo contact the Police Council of Sport, call Alison Murray at the RNZPC. Ph: (04) 238-3139Rugby tour to Australia in JuneNew Zealand Police Rugby has accepted an invitation from the AustralianPolice Rugby Union to tour and play three games in Australia in June 2007.There will be two games in Sydney against the New South Wales Police andthe Australian Federal Police teams.The third game will be played in Melbourne before the All Blacks v WallabiesBledisloe Cup test on the 29th June.Expressions of interestIf you are interested in being considered for selection for this team, youneed to forward a CV of your position as well as alternative position; whoyou currently play rugby for (club and grade), date of birth, where you arestationed, previous Police rugby experience, Police Challenge Cup games andpersonal contact details.The same is required for the following positions:1. Coach2. Assistant Coach3. Manager4 Assistant Manager5 Team Logistical Officer6 Physiotherapist.Can all interested persons please submit a short CV stating detail of all club,provincial and Police rugby involvement and in what capacity via Lotus Notes to:Barry Gallagher, NZ Police Air Support Unit, AucklandThose applying need to know that there will be a nominal cost required forthis tour.Turner shines in triathlonVeteran Glen Turner showed the youngsters howit was done with an outstanding effort to take linehonours in the annual Police Triathlon held atPauahatanui recently. Sam Coleman and DonaldaCromb recorded impressive victories in the OpenMen and Open Women’s sections respectively.Results were:Open men:1. Sam Coleman (Porirua) 1:13:192. Ariki Vertongen (Porirua) 1:15:23Masters men:1. Nigel Bullock (Wellington) 1:16:15Veteran men:1. Glen Turner (Lower Hutt) 1:07:002. Neil Holden (PNHQ) 1:14:51Open women:1. Donalda Cromb (Wellington) 1:18:392. Karen Vaughan (Johnsonville) 1:24:463. Felicity Mansell (Marton) 1:27:44Relay team:1. Team Random 1:14:322. Wing 238 and 239 1:25:56Duathlon:1. Angelique Walker (Kapiti) 1:06:15TheNEW ZEALAND POLICE ASSOCIATIONis looking for anINDUSTRIAL OFFICERWe are looking to appoint another Industrial Offi cer based in our Wellington National Offi ce.Applicants may come from a variety of backgrounds but will need to demonstratecompetence in one or more of the following:• Experience in problem solving employment based problems.• Understanding and experience of employment law and associated processes.• The ability to design and deliver employment relations training.Applicants must have:• Strong interpersonal and team skills.• Well developed oral and written communication skills.• Self motivation, initiative and energy.• A strong empathy with Police and their work.A suitable tertiary qualifi cation may be an advantage.This will be a challenging and rewarding role for the successful applicant.For more information on the Police Association see: www.policeassn.org.nzWritten applications including a CV should be sent to NZ Police Association, Box 12344,Wellington, Attention: Tui Hunter. For a job description or to email your CV,email: thunter@policeassn.org.nz Applications close Monday, 19 March 2007STOP PRESS:Anti-smackingBill passessecond readingThe controversial Crimes (Substituted Section59) Amendmenet Bill, often referred to asthe Anti-smacking Bill has passed its secondreading in Parliament by a vote of 70 to 51.The bill, sponsored by Green Party MP SueBradford, has caused considerable publicdisquiet because it seeks to outlaw parentsusing force to discipline their children byamending Section 59 of the Crimes Act.Recent polls indicate that 80% of parentsbelieve they should have the right to smacktheir children.Now at committee stageThe bill now goes to a committee stage, whereamendments may be made as the bill isdebated on a clause-by-clause basis. NationalParty Police spokesman, Chester Borrows, hasindicated that he will seek to amend the billto allow parents to use “reasonable force” indisciplining their children.Six of his fellow National MPs voted for the billwhile 42 others voted against it.Ms Bradford has said that she may withdrawthe bill if amendments are made to ‘waterdown’ its effect.She said banning smacking would ensure thereis no defence for violence against children.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.40March 2007

New Zealand Police AssociationROTORUA POLICE QUADRATHON2007THE ROTORUA POLICEINVITES YOU TO ENTER THEAnnual Quadrathon eventThe event is as social or competitive as youwish to make it, with spot prizes up for grabs.The event consists of four disciplines:• 300 metre swim in Blue Lake• 9 km Mountain bike ride – not a technicalride• 5 km run around Blue Lake• 1 km Kayak on Blue Lake.Categories: Individual2-person team4-person teamThe Quadrathon takes place on the:23rd March 2007• Event briefing at 1.30pm• Race starts at 1.45pm• On the beach at the far end of the BlueLake.Entries close 16th March 2007The prizegiving will take place at 4.00pm with the location to be advised.For more info contact:Karin.isaacson@police.govt.nz or Christine.lunt@police.govt.nzWhen not to call emergency servicesPolice Communications call takers and dispatchersused to getting inane calls from people who clearlyhave no idea when you should ring 111 (or in thecases below from the USA, 911) and it appears fromthese exchanges that the problems encountered byNZ operators are not unique to these shores:Hearing aid anyone?Dispatcher: 9-1-1. What is your emergency?Caller: I heard what sounded like gunshotscoming from the brown house on the corner.Dispatcher: Do you have an address?Caller: No, I’m wearing a blouse and slacks.Another turkeyDispatcher: 9-1-1. What is your emergency?Caller: Hi, is this the Police?Dispatcher: This is 9-1-1. Do you need policeassistance?Caller: Well, I don’t know whom to call. Can youtell me how to cook a turkey? I’ve never cookedone before.911 or nine eleven?Dispatcher: 9-1-1. What is the nature of youremergency?Caller: I’m trying to reach nine eleven but myphone doesn’t have an eleven on it.Dispatcher: This is nine eleven.Caller: I thought you just said it was nine-oneone.Dispatcher: Yes, ma’am nine-one-one and nineelevenare the same thing.Caller: Honey, I may be old, but I’m not stupid.Ask a silly question…get a sillyanswer?Dispatcher: 9-1-1. What’s the nature of youremergency?Caller: My wife is pregnant and her contractionsare only two minutes apart.Dispatcher: Is this her first child?Caller: No, you idiot! This is her husband!Handbook highlightsthe dangers ofdrowsy drivingA “drowsy driving” handbook, produced by asleep safety researcher and campaigner, MartinJenkins, could prove invaluable in alerting driversto the risks they face from long periods behindthe wheel.Akilla: In The Blink Of An Eye is designed to alertNew Zealanders to the hazards they face fromfalling asleep while driving.The book identifies the causes of drowsy driving– when, where and why you are most at risk,such as in the afternoon, after a plane flight, afterhaving taken certain medications and after eatingfast food.MythsThe passport-sized 52-page booklet also dispelssome myths about drowsy driving and gives somehelpful hints on how to avoid becoming a drowsydriver – and potentially another road fatality – orthe cause of one.Jenkins, whose father died in a road crash, saysthat while drowsy driving has been recognisedas a major cause of road deaths in the USA,the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, ithas been largely downplayed in New Zealand bytransport authorities and policy makers.“Complacency”Jenkins says it is this “complacency” thatprompted him to launch his Akilla campaign toeducate New Zealand drivers on how to recogniseand minimise the effects and risks associatedwith drowsy driving.The handbook is published by New Zealand SleepSafety Limited and is available at a cost of $13(includes handling and postage within NZ) andcan be ordered by visiting www.akilla.co.nz andclicking on the book cover for further details.March 200741

Pro rata of members competing, golf, is nobetter off than other sports. These people, andother Police, recognise teams are public rolemodels doing huge sponsorship drives for boththemselves and their clubs, and are involvedwith community clubs and tournaments inrepresenting the Police.John is not a lifetime golfer; his commitmentto the Council was career-plus long, and likeour Council investments, grows in interest. I’veeven heard recently of a staff benefit schemefor Police Council of Sport members in Otago.Other personnel contribute knowing they aresupporting those who can compete in theworld of shift work, change of duties, in a hugeworld of sport, not just the monoculturalisticsport that used to exist. Perhaps a levelling ofthe fees needs to be considered for retirees andsworn staff.Gone are the days of Ted Hotham, that “ifyou don’t play rugby you have little chanceof getting in the department”, or Black JackStevenson’s 1973 “Constable, if you don’tdrink, you will never make the CIB!”Those who read this and are not in the PCOS;join up; or rejoin, you will benefit and with thePolice obsession with sport, your contributionassists real champions who put more muchmore into the effort. Some champions willrun off once they’ve got gold; but everyoneelse champions the true cause, competing,not just winning. The last thing we want tosee is division in the ranks; there is enough ofthis. Sport is and should be non-political. Let’skeep it that way. Isn’t the call: “He ain’t heavy,he’s my brother”, of any value?“We all retire”(Name and address withheld)Harry Quinn replies: Yes, I receive anhonorarium as treasurer. The honorarium isreviewed at every AGM when the financialperformance of the Council is placed underscrutiny from the district delegates. Theannual honorarium is currently $3,000 perannum and is not intended to reimburse theTreasurer for the hours of work involved butto be a token payment for services rendered.I am a Life Member of the Council ofSport but still choose to pay my annualsubscription, which I have now been doingfor 37 years.The comparison of my honorarium withthe retired membership subs is correct.But that honorarium was set by districtdelegates against the background of: “Is theexpenditure fair to all of the membership?”.If it were set at market rates, the value oftime expended by the treasurers would be inthe vicinity of about $30,000 per year.Having been on the National Executive forover a decade and also the chairman andtreasurer of the Wellington District SportsCouncil since 1978, I know the backgroundof the financial position that used to existand the precarious financial position thecouncil was in during the mid-1990s. Thatwas about the time when Mr Henry retiredfrom Police. Even after the withdrawal ofgovernment funding in 1995, the prevailingattitude amongst Police sportsmen andwomen was that the costs in running PoliceSport came from the government so let’sspend up large. That was not true then andit is not true now. In 1997 the Council ofSport came within weeks of being insolventas a consequence of unchecked spending.Now in 2007, the Police Council of Sportis a $400,000 dollar a year businessfunded predominantly from Membershipsubscriptions. Reserves are maintained for33 sports clubs to enable them to functionfrom a strong financial position. Every dollarwe spend is subject to the over archingprincipal: “Is the expenditure fair to all ofthe membership?” It’s that principle whichleads us to ask retired members to pay anannual subscription. I think that is fair. Ialso think the honorarium paid to me is fair.New Zealand Police AssociationClarification ofsworn shiftmeal allowancesIn the last issue there was an article toclarify entitlement to meal allowancesfor sworn shift workers. The paragraphentitled: “Who is entitled to the SWMA?stated: “A member is entitled to SWMA ifthey work a ‘rostered’ shift and do at leastone hour’s continuous additional duty,excluding meal breaks.This should have read: “A memberis entitled to the SWMA if they worka rostered shift and do in excess ofone hour’s continuous additional duty,excluding meal breaks.Use of 0800 TenNine phone lineAssociation representatives maintainthis telephone line (0800 8366 463) ona 24-hour basis.It is to be used ONLY for matters thatcannot be deferred, such as Policeshootings, fatal pursuits or deaths incustody.Important and immediate industrialand legal advice can then be arrangedthrough the Association networks.Please do not phone this line for nonurgentmatters.Useful Information & ContactsNew Zealand Police Association:For immediate industrial & legal advice(on matters that cannot be deferred such as Policeshootings, fatal pursuits or deaths in custody)ring 0800 TEN NINE (0800 836 6463)– 24 hour/seven days servicePolice Network 44446 Website www.policeassn.org.nzFreephone 0800 500 122 Police Home Loans 0800 800 808Police Health Plan/Staffpac Insurance Police Credit Union 0800 429 000Quotes & information 0800 500 122 or (04) 472 9645or Fax (04) 496 6819 Credit Union www.policecu.org.nzStaffpac claims 0800 110 088 GSF information 0800 654 731All enquiries (04) 496 6800 PSS information 0800 777 243Vice PresidentsRichard Middleton (027) 277 9846Stuart Mills (027) 268 9416Field OfficersNorthland and Auckland Districts: Stewart Mills (027) 268 9407Waikato, BOP and Eastern Districts: Eric Newman (027) 268 9408Central and Wellington Districts: JJ Taylor (027) 268 9409Tasman, Canterbury and Southern Districts: Dave McKirdy (027) 268 9410Regional DirectorsRegion One Steve Hawkins Whangaparoa (027) 268 9419Region Two Mark Leys Papatoetoe (027) 268 9413Region Three Mel Ridley Tauranga (027) 268 9414Region Four Chris Cahill Napier (027) 268 9415Region Five Ron Lek Wellington (027) 268 9417Region Six Craig Prior Sydenham (027) 268 9412Region Seven Tracey Maclennan Invercargill (027) 268 9418March 200743

POLICE FIRE & GENERALINSURANCEIf you are seeking the ultimate in coveror merely require the bare essentials,when it comes to insuring yourpossessions, Police Fire & General hasthe insurance policy that’s right for you.The Police Fire & General Domestic Insurance Policy is arrangedby Police Welfare Fund Insurances Limited and underwrittenby Lumley General Insurance (N.Z.) Limited. Police Fire &General Domestic Insurance is a product exclusively for PoliceWelfare Fund members and their families.