“I'm No Hero” - New Zealand Police Association

November 2002These are the key resolutions. They do not include all theresolutions nor the administrative resolutions. For a fuller list ofthe resolutions, see our website www.policeassn.org.nzAUCKLAND STAFFING ISSUEMOVED Mr Matthews seconded Mr Cornell that this Conferencecalls upon Commissioner to adopt a $2500 retention allowancepayable from July 2003 to existing Police Officers in AucklandCity and Counties/Manukau Districts in recognition of:1) The working difficulties of living and working in thesedistricts.2) The need to ensure that the existing low level of operationalexperience is not further reduced.The ongoing payment of the retention allowance to be assessedannually. Conference also calls upon the Commissioner to assessthe current state of North Shore/Waitakere Districts in relation tothe Auckland City and Counties/Manukau Allowance. CARRIEDThe minutes are to reflect that North Shore and Waitakere Districtsvoted against this motion.IDENTITY PROTECTION FOR POLICE OFFICERSMOVED Mr Rowe seconded Mr Lochrie that this Conferenceinstructs National Office to lobby government for the necessarylegislative protection for police officers involved in the use oflethal force and/or serious injury to protect their identity and toprotect them from private prosecution where a properlyconducted enquiry has found they acted lawfully. CARRIEDSTAFFING LEVELSMOVED Mr Lochrie seconded Mr McFadyen that the PoliceAssociation establish a strategic plan to research andinvestigate to establish an adequate number of staff required topolice this country and plan a strong and sustained publiccampaign timed to coincide with the build up to the 2005general election.CARRIED154New Zealand Police Association NewsletterAssociation Annual Conference 2001-2002“Crime Costs”The Police Association’s 67th Annual Conference opened withMP Winnie Laban, speaking for Police Minister, GeorgeHawkins who had been detained in the House. The greatachievement of police over the past year resolving a numberof high profile cases was acknowledged, along with the tragicloss of Duncan Taylor, the issues surrounding Auckland andthe burgeoning methamphetamine problem. Conference wasadvised a report on Auckland had been requested from theCommissioner and that the Government shared Associationconcerns over methamphetamine, with legislation changesunderway to reclassify the drug as class A.Police Association President, Greg O’Connor, followedsaying after the Association warning of the methamphetamineproblem since 1997, he was pleased that the resolutionconference passed last year to lobby to have the drugreclassified allowing for increased penalties and searchwithout warrant, looked likely to come to fruition.Greg also attributed the current method of funding Police,with top-down imposed output demands, as a real problem,challenging the government to invest in police, but to givethem the flexibility to spend the money in areas where it isneeded most. On their part, Police administrators needed astrategy to reduce crime, focusing on crime prevention andreduction and avoiding investment in philosophies and fads.Commissioner of Police, Rob Robinson, ticked-off a numberof things that had been or were being worked on includingthe sworn code of conduct, which he said would assist staff to9-11 October 2002ANNUAL CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONSbe clear on the standard expected of them and where theystood, should they not come up to scratch. He alsoacknowledged that the difficult and drawn out saga withConstable A, reassuring delegates that where an officer actslawfully, in a similar situation every type of support would beforthcoming. When questioned regarding legislativeprotection of an officer’s identification and protection fromprivate prosecution, the Commissioner said he believedofficers deserved some protection, which included legalchanges. The law paper prepared by the Association on thisissue and provided to police was acknowledged.Andrew Grant, leader of McKinsey and Coy NZ, spoke todelegates of how police needed good leaders and what madegood leaders. He discussed the three components being: Anability to staunchly accept reality; A way to find a deepersense of meaning in the work you do and pass this on toothers; Being prepared to improvise.Dr Chris Wilkins, from the centre for Social and HealthOutcomes Research and Evaluation (SHORE), MasseyUniversity, presented some startling statistics onmethamphetamine and amphetamine type substances (seepage opposite).Tim Mueller, New York and Jersey Port Authority PoliceOfficer, brought home to Conference Delegates thedevastation and loss of New York World Trade Centre terroristattack. The New York and Jersey Port Authority, lost 37 policeofficers in the terrorist strike (see page 156).SAR & SPECIALIST SQUAD MEMBERSMOVED Mr Prior seconded Mr Hall that this Conference directsNational Office to assist immediately Search & Rescue and otherspecialist squad members in resolving their claims surroundingeligibility for standby entitlements in order to gain parity withAOS/STG/PNT in respect to the competency payment. CARRIEDRURAL HOUSINGMOVED Mr Price seconded Mr Aberhart that the issue of PoliceHousing is urgently reviewed by the Department in consultationwith the members affected and the Association, to focus onequality and fairness.CARRIEDRURAL SURVEYMOVED Mr Price seconded Mr Stokes that this Conference callsupon the Office of the Commissioner to expedite the analysis ofthe rural survey and addressing, in a practical way, the issuesraised by the survey as soon as possible.CARRIEDGSF TRANSFER PROPOSALMOVED Mr Ridley seconded Mr Rudolph that :• Conference endorses the proposal in principle.• The GSF transfers proposal as tabled at the 2002 AssociationConference be circulated and consulted amongst affectedmembers with District Committees to provide feedback by11 November.• Conference requests that the NZ Police and Governmentafford the highest priority to the resolution of this longstanding but important issue.CARRIEDANONYMITY PROTOCOLMOVED Mr Lek seconded Mr Ridley that Conference instructsNational Office to continue dialogue with the Department to putin place a protocol to guarantee anonymity of members betweenthe time they first become the subject of a criminal investigation,up until the time of their first appearance at court. CARRIED