Salute to a greatly-respected colleague and friend - New Zealand ...

NEW ZEALANDpoliceassociationVolume 37, Number 8, September 2004Salute to a greatly-respected colleague and friend• Colleagues salute the funeral procession of police officer, Phillip Anthony (Piripi) Wipatene, a New Plymouth-based Highway PatrolOfficer tragically killed in a car accident while on duty recently. (Photo courtesy of The Daily News, Taranaki).Page 152 Page 153 Page 160“Balancing act” Arrest Referral ‘Pass thefor the Project to be prisoner’Commission piloted in back againof InquiryChristchurch

September 2004Police News The Voice of Police154POLICING AT ITS FINEST160PASS THE PRISONER165NEW HOLIDAY ‘DIGS’NZ Police AssociationPolice News is thenewsletter of the NewZealand Police Associationand incorporates the NewZealand Police Journalfirst published in 1937.Editor: Steve PlowmanSeptember 2004, Vol. 37, No.8ISSN 1175-9445Deadline for next issue Friday September 17, 2004.Published by the New Zealand Police AssociationP.O. Box 12344, Willbank House,57 Willis Street, Wgtn.Phone: (04) 496 6800, Facsmile: (04) 471 1309Email: editor@policeassn.org.nzWebsite: www.policeassn.org.nzPrinted by City Print Communications, Wgtn.Opinions expressed are not necessarilythose of the Association.COPYRIGHT: NZPA Police News must not bereproduced in part or as a whole without theformal consent of the copyright holder - NewZealand Police Association.■■■■■■Industrial newsGeneral newsFeaturesColumnsSport/EntertainmentWelfare/NoticesCONTENTSCSI system all about core competency requirements ...................... 152Balancing act for Commissioners .................................................... 152Arrest Referral Project pilot for Christchurch .................................... 153Who ya gonna call? - Association reps ............................................ 155Mediation settlements .................................................................... 162Working for Families package starts October 1 ................................ 151Kawerau’s long-serving I-car pairing ............................................... 153Great Police work in Eastern Bay of Plenty flooding ......................... 154Playing the Auckland numbers game - Volume 2 ............................ 156“Strive to retain the ideals which underpin policing” ...................162/3Police graves rededicated ............................................................... 166Pass the prisoner - a sense of déjà vu? ..........................................160/1From the President ......................................................................... 151Health Watch .................................................................................. 157View from the bottom .................................................................... 163Keen on Wine ................................................................................. 164Letters to the Editor .....................................................................170/1Copper’s crossword ........................................................................ 157It’s a Bob’s Life (cartoon) ................................................................. 166Sports News ................................................................................168/9Obituaries (Bernie Crawford/Phil Wipatene) .................................158/9AGM and Annual Conference notice ............................................... 164Logan Alderson’s farewell ................................................................ 164Memorial Wall ................................................................................ 164New holiday homes available .......................................................... 165Holiday home availability chart ....................................................... 165Investing, property and diversification ............................................ 167Useful Information & ContactsAssociation and Police Welfare Fund:Police Network 44446 Website www.policeassn.org.nzFreephone 0800 500 122 Police Home Loans 0800 800 808Police Health Plan/Staffpac Insurance Police Credit Union 0800 429 000Quotes & information 0800 500 122 or (04) 472 9645or Fax (04) 496 6819 Credit Union www.policecu.org.nzStaffpac claims 0800 110 088 GSF information 0800 654 731All enquiries (04) 496 6800 PSS information 0800 777 243Vice PresidentsGeoff Smith (027) 268 9417Richard Middleton (027) 268 9411Field 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 Logan Alderson Napier (027) 268 9415Region Five Stuart Mills Office of Com (027) 268 9416Region Six Craig Prior Sumner (027) 268 9412Region Seven Dave Steel North Dunedin (027) 268 9418150

New Zealand Police AssociationSeptember 2004From the President“…the Police Association will continue toplace pressure on politicians to use all thetools available to them to make the roadssafer”.The government’s prioritiesThe first thing we all learn as policeofficers is to do what we are told, toobey lawful orders.Despite the fact that much recruitingand policy literature promotes andencourages adopting a problem solvingand innovative approach to situationsofficers encounter in their daily policinglives, we all know that at times we allmust defer to and adopt organisationalphilosophies and strategies.Community policing is one of thesephilosophies. Crime crash reduction isanother. Driver behaviour has improvedand road deaths and injuries havereduced as a result of stringent policingon the nation’s roads.Police are specifically funded by LTSAto police the roads, the crash elementof that philosophy. Strict auditing ofthat expenditure is possible through ourtime sheets and infringement returns.The government have prioritised roadsafety to the extent that what was 10%of the budget at integration is now over25%. However, it has under-invested inthe other two areas, which also impactgreatly on road deaths, educationand more importantly, better roadengineering - as two horrific head-oncrashes showed in late August. Instead,the government has decided to rely onenforcement to achieve its goals.That decision has had two immediateimpacts on policing. The first is thatgreater police emphasis has naturallybeen placed on enforcement. The publichave felt the impact of this strategyand in many cases reacted negatively,even though the vast majority of peopleaccept they are driving slower as aresult, and therefore their chances ofbeing killed on the roads are reduced.The second impact has been that thegovernment has failed to keep up withpopulation and monetary inflation inthe non-road policing area, i.e. thecrime component of the crime crashreduction. That area of policing isstruggling, especially around reducingmethamphetamine availability and gangactivity. The public gain the perceptionthat their police have their prioritieswrong and react accordingly.Perhaps it will take the HealthDepartment or ACC to fund the Policeand demand the same accountability asLTSA to get action in this area.In the meantime, the Police Associationwill continue to place pressure onpoliticians to use all the tools availableto them to make the roads safer. Wewill also work to ensure that the publicunderstand that it is continued failureof government to utilise strategiesother than enforcement,which drivesthe currentmodel ofpolicing.Working for Families package kicks into action Oct 1The first part of the government’s$1.097 billion “Working for Families”package, which was announced inthe last Budget, takes effect from 1October. The package will be phasedin, up until 1 April 2007.From that date families will be eligiblefor assistance with accommodationcosts. Beneficiaries with other incomewill not have their accommodationsupplement reduced while on abenefit and working families can earnmore before their accommodationsupplement is reduced.On 4 October childcare and Out ofSchool Care and Recreation (OSCAR)subsidy rates will be increased andaligned, and families on higherincomes become eligible for morehelp.Family support increasesBy 1 December the rules change tohelp assist people on invalid’s benefitsback into work and on 1 April nextyear further family support increasestake place in respect of the fostercare allowance, unsupported child’sbenefit and orphan’s benefit. The childcomponent of benefits and studentallowances will move into familysupport.By 3 October 2005 there will be afurther increase in childcare andOSCAR subsidy rates, and from 1 April2006 new in-work payments for eligiblefamilies will replace the child tax credit.Families will be able to earn morebefore their family support allowance isreduced and the family tax credit willalso increase.On 1 April 2007 there will be a finalincrease in family support rates and afurther increase in the family tax credit.The package is designed to put moremoney in the pockets of New Zealand’slow and middle-income families withchildren, and to provide incentives forparents who are on a benefit to moveinto work.Simpler systemThe initiatives are designed to providea simpler system for social assistancepayments and are made through thetax and benefit systems. The packageaims to assist families with childrenby making housing more affordable,increasing family incomes, makingwork pay (for those on benefits) andincreasing subsidies for childcare.If you have children these changesmay affect you and it is in you andyour family’s interests to see whetherthe package will benefit your family.So don’t forget to make inquiriesbefore 1 October.Further information is available fromthe following sources:• Working for Families freephone0800 774 004.• Inland Revenue 0800 227 774• Work and Income 0800 559 009Or you can visit this web link, whichexplains, in detail, various scenariosand fact sheets related to the package.http://www.msd.govt.nz/mediainformation/working-for-families/fact-sheets.html151

New Zealand Police AssociationArrest Referral Project tobe piloted in ChristchurchBy Police News Editor, Steve PlowmanThe NZ Police Department recentlytendered for the provision of servicesfor a pilot scheme known as the ArrestReferral Project.The pilot scheme, which is to run out ofChristchurch Central Police Station, isbeing funded from Budget 2004. PoliceNews understands that the pilot schemewill run for 18 months at a cost of upto $385,000. Police were to identify asuccessful tenderer as this issue wentto press.A project steering committee,comprising representatives from Police,the Ministry of Justice, the Ministryof Health and the Alcohol AdvisoryCouncil of New Zealand will help guidethe pilot project.The tender requires the provisionof two FTEs (fulltime equivalent)workers with expertise in drug/alcoholmanagement/counselling and/or coexistingalcohol and other drug andmental health issues and expects thatthey will be supported by a projectco-ordinator, who will be responsiblefor liaising with the Police Departmentmanagers and other key stakeholders.The project workers will have an officeat Christchurch Central Police Station.After 12 months an independentevaluation of the scheme will take placeand a final evaluation will follow sixmonths later. A decision would thenbe made as to whether the pilot wouldbe extended to other locations and/orcontinue it in the Canterbury District.Under the scheme, arrested personswho are identified as having alcohol orother drug problems, will be offeredvoluntary referral to appropriatecounselling/treatment services.Have you movedrecently?If you have or perhaps you’re about to,please let us know so we can update yourrecords. You can do this by:• writing to us at PO Box 12-344;• calling on freephone 0800 500 122;• faxing us on (04) 496 6819;• or emailing us at:membership@policeassn.org.nz.You need to let us know your membershipnumber, new address and if you’re aserving member - your new station.The scheme is already run by someforces in England, Wales and SouthAustralian and Victorian Policehave also begun to implement earlyintervention programmes. In overseasjurisdictions, outside contractors areresponsible for arrest referral processes.This is seen to be critical to successfulinterventions.In Leeds, England, the scheme hasbeen credited with a 63% reductionin rates of re-offending by offenderswho accepted referrals (but did notnecessarily then engage in treatment),versus a 67% increase in offending forthe same period by those arrestees whowere offered an initial assessment butdeclined to take it up.Although there is a lack of definitiveresearch here, a recent study inBrisbane found that of 288 arrestedpersons over a five-week period some86% satisfied clinical diagnostic criteriafor at least one substance use disorder,and most had multiple disorders. It alsofound that over 80% were substancedependent, with amphetamines,cannabis, opioids and alcoholfeaturing as the most common drugs ofdependence.Tender documents sighted by PoliceNews confirm that the ARPP (ArrestReferral Pilot Project) is expected todovetail in with other governmentinitiatives such as the:• National Drug Policy - which is designed toimprove provision of health informationand advice to at-risk groups, and improvethe delivery and accessibility of treatment.• National Alcohol Strategy - aimed atincreasing and improving treatmentservices for clients of the criminal justicesystem• Action Plan on Alcohol and Illicit Drugs- which seeks to provide effective screeningand assessment of the needs of thoseaffected by alcohol and other drug use,and providing early intervention anda comprehensive range of treatmentservices to enable those affected by alcoholand other drug use to overcome relatedproblems and dependency• Methamphetamine Action Plan - targetedat improved support for those, such aspolice, whose work brings them into directcontact with methamphetamine users.September 2004Has Kawerau gotthe I-car team withthe longest service?Kawerau may well have NewZealand’s longest-serving I-car team.Constable Jeff Gordon and SeniorConstable Brian Parker may well layclaim to that honour with 56 yearsservice between them.Jeff joined as a cadet in January 1978and was then posted to Gisborne,where he worked on section beforehe joined the AOS (Armed Offenders’Squad) briefly before transferring toKaikohe in 1982. He worked there,generally in a sole charge position,until he transferred to Whakatane in1984. Jeff was a qualified instructorin all aspects of training up until theimplementation of SSTT.In 1995, he transferred to Kawerauand has worked on section theresince.30 years in the jobBrian joined as a recruit in May1974. After graduation he went toAuckland Central where he workedon section, enquiries and did whathe terms ‘a very short stint’ in CIBbefore moving to Balmoral and thenNewmarket before becoming a doghandler in 1977. He transferredto South Auckland with the dogsection and worked as a dog handlerin Otahuhu in 1985. From there hewent to Whangarei dog section until1990 before transferring to Taurangaa year later and became the first doghandler in the Eastern Bay of Plentywhen based at Whakatane in 1997.Brian left the dog section last year towork on section in Kawerau. He canlay claim to being the first generalpurpose dog handler to clock up 25years on the frontline.Parker and Gordon are a good teamwho compliment each other’s styleswell and with all that experienceunder their belts, it’s hardlysurprising.(Editor’s note: - The obvious questionsthat arise now are: Is there a longerservingI-car team out there somewhere?And, where is the I-car with the youngestteam in the country?)- Steve Plowman.153

September 2004Police News The Voice of PoliceFinest traditions of the NZ Police upheldduring flooding in the Eastern Bay of PlentyBy Yvonne Parker, Association rep, WhakataneSeeing the selfless work put in by policeofficers during the recent devastatingflooding in the Eastern Bay of Plentybrought with it a real sense of pride.And seeing the same commitment fromother services and members of thepublic, who rallied around in the faceof tragedy, made one feel proud to be ahuman being.Here are some examples, which byno means cover the whole gamut ofassistance given by individuals butrather give a snapshot of the type ofdedication to duty (and beyond it) thatmany officers showed during some ofthe region’s darkest days:• Senior Constable Johan van der Woudenwas in Rotoma at a roadblock at theheight of torrential rains. There was atree blocking SH30 but instead of callingfor help and awaiting the arrival of roadcrews, Johan took out a chainsaw fromhis patrol car and cleared a single lane fortraffic to go through.• Constable John McCarthy movedinto a new home at Awatapu on aFriday during the flooding but by thefollowing Sunday the whole place wasunder water. However, despite hisown hardships, John was one of themost tireless workers in assisting in theEdgecumbe area and elsewhere.• Senior Constable Brian Parker foundthe road to his house closed and hewas left without power. Brian madesome voluntary trips about the areachecking on the roads when he wasn’ton duty and gave important updatesto me, as I was co-ordinating much ofthe emergency relief from a Whakatanebase. While Brian was out Waiohau way,he came across a dangerous slip in theroad, which caused a huge hole in thetarseal. Because there were no signs, hewas posted to the spot and being bored,started chipping away at the tarsealand the whole road caved in. This,effectively, meant that daytime motoristswere able to see the problem area muchmore easily!• Senior Constables Dave Pettingerand Bruce Laing were in the floodedThornton area when they spotted a largecrane in the water near Thornton Hall.They came up with the idea of cuttinganother breach in the stop bank closerto the sea. They arranged for farmersand others to assist them with theirendeavours and a large, enthusiasticbut unprofessional group took it uponthemselves to try and do somethingabout it. Later in the day, I heard a callfrom Peter Redman urgently requestingsome engineers from the CD Centreto come and head off the bank frombreaching. Peter tried to be as diplomaticas possible but in the end he resorted tosaying: “They are as keen as mustard butnot one of them has a frigging clue!”Second cutting a great helpA second cutting was made, assuggested by Dave and Bruce, and thisbecame a life-saver, as it were.These officers were often responsible forupsetting the CD Centre plans, in thatthey stopped the Centre from cuttingpower to the area or unnecessarilyblocking roads before they needed to• The extent of the devastation for residents in Whakatane can be clearly gauged from these shots.(Photos courtesy of The Whakatane Beacon).154

New Zealand Police AssociationSeptember 2004be. Their experience proved invaluable to O/CKawerau when he had his turn co-ordinatingthings in Whakatane.• Constable Dave McIntosh gave an indicationof the depth of the water at Awatapu when theUnimog he was working in gave new meaningto ‘dipping your headlights’. The lights wentunderwater and Dave had to stick his arm outthe window with his torch in hand, in order toshow the way. Unfortunately, as the Unimogwent deeper, he had to wind the window upso his arm wouldn’t get wet! During this set of‘manoueuvres’ the Army driver was pulling outfuse wires from the dashboard so that the truckwouldn’t short out. Dave said their call at thisstage was that it was developing into a job for theNavy rather than the Army. He noted that thewake from the Unimog, as it travelled throughthe water, was such that it shifted a stranded4WD vehicle sideways by a couple of metres.These are just a few examples of the selflessdedication to duty, which many officers showedduring the civil emergency. Their efforts werein the finest traditions of the New ZealandPolice. Those efforts and the efforts of othercolleagues, too numerous to mention here, willlong be remembered by those who were theunwitting victims of nature’s terrible fury.• Police Association President, Greg O’Connor, presents Constable JohnMcCarthy and his wife, Louise, with a welfare pack. The couple had takenpossession of their new home on a Friday, shifted in the following day and wereevacuated on the Sunday due to extensive flooding.Police Association secretaries, chairpersons and delegatesBelow is a list of the NZ Police Association’s secretaries, chairpersons and delegates elected as a result of recent district AGMs.NAME TITLE AREANAME TITLE AREATony Miller Secretary Auckland CityMarc Clausen Chairperson Office of the CommissionerMichael Cornell Chairperson Akld City (Central)Barry Hansen Chairperson Otago (Balclutha)Linda Clarke Delegate Auckland CityBruce Dow Secretary & Delegate Otago (Oamaru)Michael Cornell Delegate Auckland CityKeryn Roberts Secretary Plm North (Feilding)Ciaran Sloan Secretary BlenheimKevin Allen Chairperson & Delegate Palmerston NorthMaurice Horne Chairperson Blenheim (Havelock)Hamish Milne Secretary Police CollegeFay Simpson Secretary Canterbury (Lincoln)Horst MacZuga Chairperson Police CollegeJug Price Chairperson & Delegate Canterbury (Culverden)Patrick Burrell Delegate Police CollegePaul Visser Chairperson ChristchurchChristine Lunt Secretary RotoruaAdrienne Senior Secretary Chcristchurch (Central)Scott Thompson Chairperson & Delegate RotoruaPeter Summerfield Delegate ChristchurchLes Clarke Chairperson Ruapehu (Taihape)Gareth Hartley Secretary & Delegate Counties ManukauMia Wilton Secretary RuapehuSpencer Matthews Chairperson & Delegate Counties ManukauGraham Hall Chairperson & Delegate Sth Canterbury (Timaru)Geoff Freeman Secretary Dunedin (SOCO)Paul Hampton Secretary Sth Canterbury (Timaru)Brett Roberts Chairperson Dunedin (Central, CIB)Nicola Davies Secretary Sth Taranaki (Hawera)Laurie McNeil Delegate Dunedin (Sth Dunedin)Andrea (Red) Burling Chairperson Sth Taranaki (Hawera)Dave Pettinger Chairperson Eastern BOP (Edgecumbe)Tracey MacLennan Secretary & Delegate Southland (Invercargill Intel)Yvonne Parker Secretary Eastern BOP (Whakatane)Grant Gerken Chairperson Southland (Invercargill Prosec.)Glen Ingoe Secretary GisbornePhil Rowe Secretary & Delegate Taranaki (Inglewood)Sean Buchanan Chairperson GisborneDave MacKenzie Chairperson Taranaki (New Plymouth)Steve Smith Delegate GisborneKaren Lyttle Chairperson TaurangaGreg Brown Chairperson HastingsEthne Heaver Secretary Tauranga (Greerton)Gary McFadyen Secretary & Delegate HastingsNga Utanga Delegate TaurangaJudy Jennings Secretary HorowhenuaAlan Humphries Secretary & Delegate Tokoroa/TaupoMartin Bull Chairperson HorowhenuaRick Rudolph Chairperson TokoroaBilly-Ray Slight Secretary HuttJock Simpson Chairperson WaikatoRodger Hough Chairperson HuttLaurie Roycroft Secretary WaikatoRoger Wasson Delegate Hutt (Upper Hutt)Stuart Innes Delegate Waikato (City)Mike Craig Secretary Kapiti ManaWayne Aberhart Delegate Wkto (Morrinsville)Rob Gregory Chairperson Kapiti ManaElizabeth Lamb Secretary WairarapaCaren Huxford Delegate Kapiti ManaMike McRandle Chairperson WairarapaChristine Stanger Secretary NapierDerek Lawford Delegate WaitakereChris Cahill Chairperson NapierSusan Nixon Secretary WaitakereMalcolm Lochrie Delegate NapierJoe Savage Chairperson WaitakereDiana (Penny) Paterson Secretary & Delegate NelsonGail Cato Secretary WanganuiBrian Wood Chairperson NelsonBob Evans Chairperson WanganuiTony Lindsay Secretary & Delegate North ShoreKevin Smith Delegate WanganuiDerek Peel Chairperson Nth Shore (Akld Motorways) Ron Lek Chairperson & Delegate WellingtonNgaire McLachlan Secretary & Delegate NorthlandChris Moore Secretary Wellington (Johnsonville)Warren Bunn Chairperson Northland (Ruakaka)Mark Lucas Chairperson & Delegate West Coast (Hokitika)Naomi Gray Secretary Office of the CommissionerDiane Glover Secretary West Coast (Greymouth)Malcolm Dick Delegate Office of the Commissioner155

New Zealand Police AssociationSeptember 2004Police Health Plan Ltd in conjunction withour Medical Adviser, Doctor Eric Thornton,publishes articles on medical issues thataffect our members.Chest pain - is ita heart attack?Not all chest pains are the start of aheart attack. In fact, 30% of heartattacks occur without any pain at all.So, at a time when the incidenceof heart attacks amongst a youngerage group is rising, how can wetell when chest pain might mean avisit to hospital for a check-up? Ifin doubt, always assume it couldbe your heart and get it checkedimmediately.Heart pain usually comes on rapidlyand feels like a very tight bandcrushing the chest. Sometimes thepain will go up into the jaw and/ordown the left arm into the fingers.Pain of this kind, should alwaysbe assessed by a doctor as soonas possible. Age is no barrier to aheart attack and people as youngas 30 have been known to sufferfrom them despite appearing fit andhealthy.Heart attack pain does not ease withanalgesics such as Panadol. Somesufferers report the pain easing withindigestion medicine but it neverreally goes completely. Frequentlythe pain comes on in the early hoursof the morning, especially whengetting up to go to the toilet.Other chest painsThere are many other causes forchest pain, which mimic a heartattack. Some of the more commonones are:• Indigestion - the pain comes onafter a heavy or spicy meal andis usually under the breastbone.Indigestion medication willusually ease the discomfort.• Hiatus hernia - this is when a partof the stomach slips through thediaphragm into the chest. Thepain is like indigestion and usuallycomes on after lying down.• Gallbladder pain - usually in theupper right part of the abdomenbut can be central and is certainlysevere enough to mimic a heartattack. This pain can come onafter a fatty meal.• Chest injury - frequently foundafter contact sports. Thepain may not be noticeableimmediately but comes on later.Often due to damage to jointswhere ribs join the breastbone.• Unidentified chest pain - a largegroup of people with chest painare investigated and absolutelyno cause is found. The pain ispresumed to come from the wallof the chest.Risk categoriesAll of these pains can be severeenough to seem like a heart attack.They can even fool doctors into a falsediagnosis - and can sometimes resultin patients with a heart attack beingsent home from hospital. If you are ina category where the pain may be aheart attack, e.g. overweight, smoker,aged 40+, lack of exercise, then it issafer to assume that any severe chestpain may be a heart attack and toseek medical aid immediately. Withimmediate treatment, almost all heartattack victims survive and have onlyminor damage to the heart.Copper’s CrosswordSeptember clues:Across:1. A million and one slit apart to knowone’s boundaries (6)4. Twentied? No got a goal instead (6)8. Once a year event for some (11)10. Governmental early release? (7)11. Funeral vase (3)12. Command or watch over (4)13. Nab! Collar! Bin! Or just another slangterm (3)14. A good wine could be classed as thissort (4)17. Brut force less a letter could get you intothis (3)18. Never lived. Had never existed.Therefore never had one (3-4)19. Recites poetry or verse perhaps (11)20. Re-do a memo or letter (6)21. Wishes a good whiskey for someone (6)By Constable CunningDown:1. Displays yellow letter for us tobe cautious of (7,6)2. Operates or handles people fortheir own gain? (11)3. Thanks to Vern for this drinkingplace (6)5. Chic and stylish (6)6. Divides and distributes amonglocal places (13)7. Bent? Giving a dishonestperspective perhaps? (11)9. Treats anyone under 17 yearsas this (5,6)15. Lodge in open, in tents (6)16. Glue? Cellotape? Or simply abroken up red bin (6)1 2 3 4 5 678 910 1112 13 1415 1617 181920 21August answers:Across:1. Ream3. Alphabet9. Seizing10. Vivid12. Restaurateur13. Imbibe15. Fencer17. Counteracted20. Await21. Lookout22. TreasureDown:1. Restrain2. Alias4. Lagers5. Have the law on6. Bivouac7. Tide8. Bicarbonates12. Credited14. Brocade16. Dealer18. T roop19. Raft157

September 2004Police News The Voice of PoliceObituaries:Bernadette Rewarewa Crawford (1934-2004)Bernadette Rewarewa Crawford servedas a police officer from 1955 until1959. Along with her good friend andbridesmaid, Pat Hond, she was one ofthe first Maori women to serve in theNZ Police Force.She wore many different hats duringher lifetime, undoubtedly the mostimportant as a much-loved mother toher nine children and grandmother toher 13 mokopuna (grandchildren).Her colleagues knew her as Bernie andher whanau called her Rewa. She wasgiven her middle name after a tree thatfell and killed one of her ancestors.Bernie was born on February 11, 1934to farming parents at Waihi Village,near Tokaanu. She was one of eightgirls and six boys born to Hiriwetiri andMaata Mariu (nee Meihana). Hiriwetiridelivered all 14 children at the familyhome.Early lifeBernie’s early life was a blend of astrong Maori upbringing with Catholicinfluences, which was reinforcedthrough her education at St Joseph’sMaori Girls’ College at Taradale, Napier.It was a hard life for her parents,scraping a living from the land withso many mouths to feed. Four of thechildren were the subject of whangai(adoption out to relatives) to help withtheir upbringing.Ko Tongariro te maunga, Ko Taupote moana, Ko Tuwharetoa te iwi, KoTurumakina te hapu, Ko Te Heuheute tangata. This was the manner inwhich Bernie identified who she was.Tongariro is her mountain, Taupo hersacred waters, Tuwharetoa her people,Turumakina her closest relations and TeHeuheu their paramount leader.When she left college she took a job inthe Post Office at Taumarunui beforemoving south to the ‘big smoke’ whereshe carried on her postal career at theHerd Street Post Office.At 21, Bernie Mariu, joined the Police,leaving her Post Office job on a Fridayin November, 1955 and turning upin her police uniform the followingMonday at Wellington Central PoliceStation. Later she worked in LowerHutt. That first day on the job was ahuge shock to her, she admitted later,saying that she “just kicked around the• Bernie Crawford.station for a couple of hours feelingbrassed off” because she didn’t knowwhat to do. The sergeant in charge toldher to go for a walk up the street andshe asked: “By myself?” She inquiredwhat would happen if she “came acrosssomething”, to which the sergeantreplied: “You’ll manage”.And manage she did.Colleagues, who started after her, foundBernie a fine mentor. She was a peopleperson. Her children remember her thesame way, with the fondest of affection,as a person of great mana who gave andgave and never counted the cost.MarriageWhile stationed in Wellington she mether future husband, Hutana, a sailor inthe NZ Navy. He was a cousin of herflatmate. They were married in 1960 atSt Peter’s and Paul’s Catholic Church inLower Hutt. They had nine children, sixboys and three girls. One of her sons,Mark, was killed in a car accident on theEast Coast when he was 18 years of age.For several years, when she had youngchildren, Bernie worked long hours asa cleaner on a nightshift. She would getup at 2.00 am and go to her cleaningjob, come home at 7.00 am in time toget her older children off to school andthen mind the younger ones until theolder children finished school at 3 p.m. atwhich time she might be able to catch anap. The money she saved was spent onputting all her children through boardingschool. This devotion to providing herchildren with a good education alsorubbed off with the teaching of a strongwork ethic - by example.Everyone was welcome in the Crawfordhousehold, despite the obvioushardships she and Hutana faced inbring up nine children. Friends andrelatives say the Crawford home waslike going to the marae - there wasalways a warm welcome.Marae building projectDespite her extremely busy life, Berniestill found time to fundraise for thebuilding of the Tuhono Marae at ViardCollege, Porirua. Along with her homemarae of Waihi Village, it held a specialplace in her heart.She was proud of all her children andone of them, Luke, followed her into thePolice. He has been a police officer for 23years and currently serves in Wellington.Bernie was a shy and retiring woman ofgreat humility and this was no more inevidence than when she refused to be apatron of a recruit wing - not once but onseveral occasions - because she felt shewas not worthy of the honour. Anyonewho knew her, knew otherwise becauseshe was an ordinary woman who haddone extraordinary things. But she wouldnot have bar of it.Bernadette Rewarewa Crawford willbe remembered as a generous womanwho was clearly at home in the big cityas much she was on her local marae.She transcended the Maori and Pakehacultures and thereby had the best ofboth worlds. Because of her upbringingat Waihi Village, she clearly understoodwhat it was to be Maori and when theurban drift took her to Wellington sheallowed it to bring value not only to herown life but to the life of others.It is said that the life of one we love isnever lost in death, for its influence goeson through all the lives it ever touched.Bernie Crawford touched and influencedmany lives. Many, who had the goodfortune to meet her, will remember herwith great affection.Her husband, Hutana, eight of herchildren and 13 grandchildren surviveher.– By Steve Plowman (Sources: LukeCrawford, NZ Listener and Policecolleagues)158

New Zealand Police AssociationSeptember 2004Phillip Anthony (Piripi) Wipatene (1949 - 2004)Police colleagues were stunned by thetragic death of Highway Patrol Officer,Phillip Wipatene, 55, after he was killedon duty when his car collided head-onwith another vehicle on the Oakurabridge in Taranaki on July 15.Senior Constable Wipatene started hiscareer with the Ministry of Transport.He then took up a job driving buses butrejoined the department prior to theMOT-Police merger in 1992.In 2002 he became a highway patrolofficer.As an iwi liaison officer, he workedclosely with local Maori after the shootingof Steven Wallace at Waitara in 2000and his knowledge and experience wereinvaluable during that time.Piripi, as he was known to hiscolleagues, was a mischievous type ofman who was seldom glum. He wasalways very quick to come up withhumorous quips on any topic andwas a very positive workmate, whowent about his work role in quite anunassuming manner.Piripi never hesitated to come to anyof his colleagues’ assistance whenhe thought they were in a difficultsituation. If an officer was havingtrouble with a Maori offender, Piripiwould sometimes arrive on the sceneand with a few stern words in Maori• Phillip Anthony (Piripi) Wipatene.could defuse the situation. Sometimes,after having been spoken to by Piripi,an offender would arrive back at anofficer’s patrol car and politely ask: “Doyou want me in the front or back seat”.Humour a mainstayWhether in a group situation withcolleagues or conversing with motoristsPiripi always brought humour to thesituation and his raucous laughter andwitty comments never failed to endearpeople to him. He was a pleasure towork with. During his years workingat Taranaki schools, delivering a roadsafety programme as a youth educationofficer, he became very well-known andgreatly respected by many people.Piripi’s Maori culture and heritage wasof the utmost importance to him andhe was always willing to answer anyquestions regarding Maoridom.On his arrival with the highway patrolhe was given “ownership” of SH 45,which runs through his ancestralgrounds. Piripi held that responsibilitywith great esteem and pride.His colleagues will also miss hisattendance at golfing sorties, wherehe relished the opportunity of beatingyounger rivals.Piripi set a high standard with hispersonal turnout and his patrol car wasalways immaculately clean.He adored his treasured mokopunas(grandchildren) and each time hereceived the bi-annual PCT allowance itwas dedicated to a different puna’s bankaccount on a rotational basis.Piripi’s presence will be greatly missedby all those who worked with him andenjoyed his company but also in theknowledge that he would be saying:“You gotta get on with it”.His wife, Merridee, his four adultchildren, Karl, Kelly, Mark and Nathan,and six young grandchildren, Ella,Jazmine, Erika, Kieran, Taylor andDevon, survive him.-By Kevin Wellington.The £30 ice creamA pub landlord was booked for not being in control of his car when policespotted him eating an ice cream at the wheel.Ray Maltby, of The Granby, in Whitby, England, received a £30 fixed penalty fineafter he was stopped on the mile-long journey from the shop to his pub.The 58-year-old now wants the law clarified for other motorists.But Inspector Tim Hutchinson of Whitby Police said driving while eating posed arisk to pedestrians.Candid CameraMr Maltby said he had no idea he was breaking the law and was stumped whenthe officer pulled him over recently and asked him if he knew what he had donewrong.Mr Maltby said he thought he was on Candid Camera when the officer handedhim a £30 fine.In response, Inspector Hutchinson said Mr Maltby was not wearing a seatbelt,had one hand on the steering wheel and was not thinking about public safety.“You have someone driving through a busy seaside town with loads of touristsaround, driving with one hand,” he said.159

September 2004Police News The Voice of PolicePass theprisoner– ahoaryoldchestnutBy Steve Plowman, Editor, Police NewsThere’s an old adage, which states: “The more things change,the more they stay the same.” Perhaps the author had the hoarychestnut of what to do with remand prisoners when prisonmusters overflow, in mind when he or she penned that phrase.Police officers around the country have told Police News of theincreased risks they face - some have been attacked - as a resultof prison overcrowding, which has resulted in remand prisonersbeing housed in police cells.Police holding cells are designed for short-term stays only.The Police Association has registered its disapproval of thesituation with both Corrections and Police Department officialsand is monitoring the situation closely. It is involved in ongoingdiscussions with both parties in a bid to resolve the issues.Picking up the piecesPolice Association President, Greg O’Connor, told Police News:“Underestimation of the remand prisoner by Corrections hasplaced police officers in an invidious position. Commanders andcontrollers will not only be forced to place staff at greater risk,but will be reducing their service to the public. Once again, thePolice become an agency left to pickup the pieces of failure ingovernment planning.”Recently in Auckland, a remand prisoner allegedly dragged apolicewoman into a holding cell and attacked her. He is facingassault charges as a result of the incident.One of the police officers spoken to by Police News said that whilethe situation was placing officers at risk it was also “far fromideal” for remand prisoners. Prisoners aren’t getting showeredbecause there aren’t sufficient staff to supervise them and therearen’t sufficient blankets or mattresses in some stations. Prisonersare venting their frustration on staff because they can’t get a breakto have a cigarette or exercise and some prisoners, who are onPhoto courtesy of Fotopress/Dean Purcell.medication, are being delivered to police holding cells without it.“Because prisoners aren’t getting the breaks or visits they areentitled to, they are resorting to disruptive and aggressivebehaviour as their frustration builds,” the officer said.IncidentsSeveral recent incidents have highlighted the danger to policestaff and remand prisoners. Here are some examples that PoliceNews has become aware of:• Auckland Central - Late shift, 29 July - three male prisonerswere delivered by Chubb security guards from AucklandDistrict Court. One prisoner told police staff he had aserious heart condition and that he had been left without hismedication. Chubb staff said they knew nothing about this.Police staff checked with the prison nurse and found that theprisoner did have a heart condition. Police asked for him to bereturned to the prison as Corrections and Police had evidentlyagreed that sick prisoners would not be sent to police holdingcells. Four days after this incident, four male and one femaleremand prisoners were delivered to Auckland Central and twowere on medication.• Papakura - July 29 - 12 remand prisoners arrived fromAuckland Central Remand Prison. One was found to be aprisoner with a heart condition, who had been transportedwithout his medication.• Papakura - August 2 - 42 prisoners (including 12 remandprisoners) are held in a 25-cell facility. Police had to resort tousing the interview, visiting and day rooms to house prisoners.• Auckland Central - August 2, 8.04 pm - six remand prisonersarrive from Auckland and two remand prisoners fromCounties-Manukau (Counties-Manukau wanted Aucklandto take eight because they were overloaded with 28 prisoners160

New Zealand Police AssociationSeptember 2004of their own). One of the Auckland prisoners was inneed of medication. Eventually, at 9.31 pm the prisonerneeding medication was transferred back to AucklandCentral Remand Prison and eight prisoners from Counties-Manukau were transferred to Waitakere.• Papakura - August 2 - prisoners block the holding celltoilets with items of clothing and the area is flooded.• Auckland Central - August 7 - 11 additional remandprisoners are delivered despite a threshold of nine remandprisoners being agreed. Papakura police are approachedto take eight of 28 remand prisoners in Auckland but therequest is declined, as is a request for extra blankets andmattresses. Two Chubb security guards were called inovernight.• Manukau District Court cells - two junior constablesand three Chubb guards are left in charge of 18 remandprisoners. There is no supervisor on duty. Staff are leftwithout milk or other items for breaks. Chubb failed toleave keys to some of the gates, which in an emergencysituation, could have resulted in serious consequences.• Manukau - August 9 - two of nine remand prisoners arefound to be asthmatics needing medication. There are 35prisoners in the cells (25 of them remand prisoners). Thereare no mattresses to sleep on for some prisoners and onlyblankets could be issued. Police staff buy remand prisonerscigarettes and then seek reimbursement from petty cash.• Auckland Central - August 13 (night shift) - An officer tellsPolice News there have been eight remand prisoner arrivals,eight Immigration Department detainees and 12 arrests.“He says: “We don’t have sufficient mattresses and wehaven’t even reached the busy part of the night yet.”• Papakura - August 13 - Auckland Central Remand Prisonforgets to advise Chubb security guards that they havea remand prisoner with bipolar disorder. He neededmedications twice daily but this was not supplied andwhen inquiries were made with prison staff they agreedto supply the medication but refused to have it delivered.Police had to send a constable from watch-house duty tothe prison to uplift the prisoner’s medication.• Auckland Central and Henderson - August 15 - staffmembers are attacked by remand prisoners at each facility.• Papakura - August 16 - Prisoner numbers peak at 43.Henderson Police report running out of prisoner meals. Againremand prisoners block the toilets with drink containers.One officer told Police News that frustration amongst remandprisoners had built to a stage where he described them “asprowling around like animals, looking to exploit the slightestweakness.”Police officers from around the country told similar stories toPolice News. In Whangarei, prisoners were three to a cell dueto overcrowding at Waikeria Prison. Police staff had to findextra mattresses for prisoners to sleep on the floor in somecases. In Dunedin, police reported that Dunedin Prison hadinsufficient beds available and so police holding cells wereoverflowing for the third time in 10 months.Further complicationsThe lack of suitable secure CYFS beds has complicated theproblem because police are now having to house youthoffenders who would normally be provided with a bed in aCYFS youth facility.In Rotorua, two teenage girls were forced to sleep on thefloor of a police interview room because the Child Youth andFamily Services (CYFS) did not have any beds available forthem. Two youths, who would normally have been in thecustody of CYFS, were also in police cells in Rotorua at thesame time.In Napier and Hastings, police were forced to hire temporarycivilian jailers who were signed in as temporary constables,because Hawke’s Bay Prison was at its capacity and police didnot have the staff available to provide 24-hour coverage of theprisoners. In mid-August five prisoners who should have beenheld at Mangaroa Prison, were being held at the Napier PoliceStation while six prisoners were in the Hastings Police holdingcells.Several prisoners from Arohata Women’s Prison and severalmale inmates from Rimutaka Prison, both near Wellington,were transferred to police cells in Upper Hutt due to prisonovercrowding last month. This was the first time in severalyears that Wellington’s main police cell holding facility hadbeen used in this manner.‘Not a Corrections problem’Police News understands that Corrections Department officials,while sympathetic to the plight of Police, don’t see it is astheir problem and are pointing to the 1987 Memorandum ofUnderstanding between Police and Corrections as backing theiropinion. Corrections is understood to hold the view that whenPolice prisoners are remanded into custody on a remand warrant(SP11) or sentenced warrant (SP10) the warrant is directed at‘every constable’ to deliver the offender to the Superintendentof a prison. If Police cannot deliver the prisoner because of anoverflow in prison numbers then the prisoner should remain inPolice custody until that can take place.This argument seems to belie the fact that it was Correctionsthat created the problem in the first instance, while it seeks todo a Pontius Pilate routine and wash its hands of the wholeaffair in the second.Contingency planning seems to revolve around placingthresholds on police holding cell capacities and thentransferring prisoners into District and High Court cells,where security guards, many of whom do not have suicidepreventiontraining, will supervise them.The Corrections Department has indicated that it expected tohave accommodation for 40 women prisoners in place by thetime this issue went to press. It is promising an additional 100beds for male prisoners by September “at the earliest”. It saysthese will be “phased in, depending on when the necessarywork can be completed”.Fifteen years ago, in the NZPA Newsletter I wrote a front pagearticle under the heading: “The Government plays pass theprisoner”. In writing this article, I have had a certain senseof déjà vu. Since 1989, the prison muster has continued tothrow the problem back at Police. The government is buildingmore prisons but they can’t come fast enough. So Police areagain left playing “pass the prisoner” - just like 15 years ago.In two months, the Memorandum of Understanding is up forrenegotiation between Police and Corrections. There will bemany police officers around the country taking plenty of interestin the outcome of that process, in the hope that 15 years downthe track they won’t be revisiting the dangerous Groundhog Daytypescenarios that have once again been foisted upon them inregard to holding remand prisoners in police cells.161

September 2004Mediation settlementsBy Leeann Peden, Association Industrial OfficerIn the August issue of Police News wetalked about the Association’s personalgrievance policy. Following up on thatarticle, here is some information onmediation settlements.What is mediation?Mediation is available whenemployment-related issues cannotbe fixed by direct discussions withthe employer. It is a voluntary nonlegalisticand informal process. There isno guaranteed outcome. The mediatortries to get the employer and employeeto negotiate an outcome. If they doagree to a settlement it is binding andenforceable. Mediation settlements aregenerally confidential to the partiesinvolved.Generally, settlements achieved atmediation are better than those gainedby going through the EmploymentRelations Authority and EmploymentCourt. They can also involve nonfinancialcompensation such as gettinga reference or apology, which are notavailable if the matter goes on to themore formal process.High profile cases and settlements canresult in people sometimes havingunrealistic expectations as to what toexpect in settling a personal grievance.We all know about those exceptionalcases where people have received largesettlements. Several cases taken by theAssociation in recent years readily springto mind.RealityThe reality, however, is thatcompensation payments at mediationfor personal grievances are generallypretty low, somewhere within the rangeof $500 to $5,000. Even going to thenext level does not guarantee increasedcompensation payments.In figures available for the January 2003to June 2003 year, the majority (55 outof 77 cases) of compensation paymentsmade at the Employment RelationsAuthority were in the $1 - $6,000 range.Obviously the settlement will dependon:• the circumstances which led to thegrievance;Police News The Voice of Police• the conduct ofthe employer;• and the conductof the employee.In some cases,an employeemay have beenunjustifiablydismissed ordisadvantagedbut does not receive any compensationpayment because s/he contributed tothe dismissal or disadvantage by somebehaviour or action.Losing when you ‘win’In one case, reported in the media earlierthis year, an employee had turned downan employer’s offer of settlement, whichwas three times the amount eventuallyawarded by the Employment RelationsAuthority. In addition, the amountactually awarded, only represented halfthe cost of his legal bills.The moral of this story is that employee’sshould be realistic and reasonable whenconsidering any offer of settlement.Consider all the circumstances that haveled to the grievance, the personal toll andthe potential toll if the matter is likely tobecome protracted.Patron tells graduates to strive to “retainthe ideals, which underpin policing”By Steve Plowman, Editor, Police NewsDr Carol Shand, the patron of Wing217, which recently graduated fromthe Royal NZ Police College, spoketo the graduates about the challengesthey would face in holding on to theideals which underpin policing.Seventy-eight recruits (53 men and35 women) graduated as probationaryconstables. The wing included fourrecruits from the Indian community.Dr Shand, a Wellington GP since1964, is renowned for her work inwomen’s health and medical care forsexual assault victims.Nineteen years ago, Dr Shand was afounding trustee of the WellingtonSexual Abuse Help Foundation, whichwas set up to provide medical careand counselling to victims of sexualassault. She also became part of anon-call team of doctors who helpedpolice to conduct forensic medicalexaminations in cases involvingalleged sexual assault.Helped found DSACIn 1987, she helped set up Doctors forSexual Abuse Care (DSAC), a professionalassociation of doctors who providemedical care to victims of sexual assault,including children.Dr Shand has worked with the NewZealand Police in training, policydevelopment and service delivery.In her address, Dr Shand told graduatesthat it was important that they striveto retain the ideals, which underpinpolicing.“Unfortunately, I know that most or allof you will find it a constant struggle tohold on to those ideals when you arefaced with the day-to-day aspects offrontline policing. It is easy, for example,to maintain a respect for a criminal as aperson when he is one of your instructorsin drag. It is not so easy to hold on to thatideal when you are faced with a groupof drunken, abusive hooligans - not justonce but night after night. Even moredifficult when some of the senior copsyou work with appear to have lost theirideals, and tease you as a “new kid” forattempting to hold on to yours,” she toldthe graduates.She said that, in today’s world, policingwas “more vulnerable to public criticismand answerable to the public”. Shesaid that policing must be “open toinvestigation of anything that goeswrong by a process that is robust andindependent.”Reflection of societyDr Shand said that the integrity of the Policereflected the political health of society.She said New Zealand police officers wereheld in high regard and the service had“avoided the worst of the problems of policecorruption and abuse that many othersocieties have had to contend with.” Shetold the graduates it was their job, as thefuture face of the service, “to ensure thatthe New Zealand Police remains sociallyresponsible and responsive”.(continued on next page)162

New Zealand Police AssociationSeptember 2004Dr Shand said that she had the “privilegeover the last 20 years of working,sometimes quite closely, with a numberof police whom I have learned to respectfor their hard work, integrity andcommitment to a very stressful job.” Shesaid that she had a great deal of respectand admiration for police officers thatworked in the “difficult area of sexualassault, particularly in child abuse teams”.“It is hard for them to keep the openmind, free of prejudice, required to treateach new complaint as a clean slate. Themythology around rape (“she was askingfor it by being in that place or by wearingthose clothes”) or the false complaint thatled you up the garden path - costing twodays of intensive investigation before yourealised her story did not add up - allField Training Officer appointmentsThe process for the next round of FTO appointmentsshould be underway (if not completed) by now.FTO appointments are reviewed annually, on or around30 June each year. Re-appointment is not automatic andmembers must re-apply each year.To be eligible to be an FTO you must have permanentappointment to the Police, an acceptable disciplinaryrecord and be willing to mentor probationary constables.Field training officers receive an allowance of $2,500 peryear.Last year, most Districts did not fill their FTO allocation.The Association is hopeful that districts will manage to fillall FTO positions this year.We urge members who meet the FTO criteria to apply.of this the professional police officerputs aside when dealing with a newcomplainant,” Dr Shand said.Unpredictable nature of the jobShe said that where policing differedfrom other occupations was that itinvolved “having to deal with thevagaries of human behaviour, whichis unpredictable and not amenableto easy judgement, even though youmay often have to make an immediatejudgement”.Dr Shand said she was impressed by the“willingness of Police to adapt policy inresponse to social demands, particularlythe management of problems likedomestic violence and sexual assault”.After the large national ‘Rape: TenYears’ Progress?’ conference held inWellington in 1996 (which Dr Shandhelped organise) the Police, helpedalong by some determined activists,responded to the message thatgenuine complainants experiencedre-victimisation by the Police processand that process needed to change, DrShand told the audience. “It is hardto institute such change throughout alarge organisation like the Police, andold attitudes die slowly, but change isthere,” she said.Dr Shand encouraged the fledging officersto “honour their patron” every time theydealt with a rape complaint, by “ensuringcorrect policy is adhered to and victims ofsexual assault are treated with the respectthat is their due.”Government Superannuitants’Association of NZ (Inc)Retiring soon? Contributing to the GSF?Over 22,000 retired public servants throughout NewZealand rely on the Association to safeguard theirsuperannuation rights.The Association deserves your support in its work for youand yours.For further information and membership Contact:The General SecretaryFREEPOST No. 71086Government Superannuitants’ Association of NZ (Inc)P.O. Box 5255, WELLINGTON.Note: In most cases you can become a member before retirement.This column is written by a frontline police officer. It does notrepresent the views or policies of the Police Association.View From The BottomA rose by any other nameBy Constable Iam KeenSeems the ‘speed wobbles’ have even caught up with shewho should not be named (Voldemort) and another inquirycommences. The talkback listeners seemed to have had this onepicked from day one, though there’ll be a lot more time andmoney spent on it before a conclusion is reached. We southernerssure know how to treat a lady and apparently the ride wassmooth enough to put a bit of lippy on, unsmudged!Guess that’s three types of ‘SPEEDS’ we have to deal with now.Another day another wake-up callWell, its official, according to another international surveyGod’s Own has the second lowest copper-to-public ratio amongdeveloped countries. The only country we managed to beat wassome place where they think volume offending involves thetaking of small yellow-eyed penguins!It’s about numbersThe recent ‘real’ stats on them lot north of the Bombay Hillsshows there has been a lot of smoke and mirror work going on inall sorts of political circles to smudge the facts.Greece lightningImagine what we could really do with a fewmore boyz and galz roaming the streets forbaddies. The road toll would come down,more ‘P’ labs would be busted, clearance statswould go up and public confidence retained!What a wonderful dream and on top of thatyou and I would be loving it just like a pig in...well, you know...I wonder if I could include getting someone todo me timesheets in this dream? It’s my dreamafter all.How fantastic to see our guys and gals doing us so proud at theOlympic Games in Athens. I often think we forget how small weactually are on the world stage and how we should celebrate ourvictories against such vastly populated nations.I found the comment of former K2 gold medalist, Paul MacDonald,so on the money when he said that if you make the AmericanOlympic team people say to you: “Wow, fantastic, you’re going tothe Olympics” and in New Zealand we ask: “Are you going to win.”Time we started to put things in perspective perhaps.Great southern landSome of you fair-skinned lot that already have itchy feet, don’tforget not to leave the Mainland off your map of places to visitor stay. Beautiful country, beautifulpeople and a helluva red and blackrugby team!163

September 2004Police News The Voice of PoliceKeen On Wineby Ricky CollinsGerman Rieslings impressI went along to a very interesting winetasting a few weeks ago, where a New Zealanddistributor, MacVine International Ltd presented the fullrange of wines from one of the wineries they represent.Nothing extraordinary in that, apart from the fact that thewines were from Germany and all 11 wines were Riesling.I’ve tasted quite a few German Rieslings before, but never11 from the same producer at one sitting.This tasting of Rieslings produced by the Kerpen family ofthe Mosel-Saar-Ruwer region certainly gave me a betterunderstanding of what German Riesling is all about.So what’s so special about German Riesling?The Mosel-Saar-Ruwer is known to produce some ofthe best Riesling in the world. The Kerpen family’sestate is based in the village of Wehlen, which is in theprime middle region of the Mosel. These prime sites areknown to produce Riesling with razor sharp intensity offlavour, and a mineral tang resulting from the slatey soilsthroughout the area. The wines will age for years. Wetried a 1997 example that was drinking beautifully, andstill had plenty of life left in it. Some of the premiumwines will last in excess of 25 years. They are great winesto drink at lunchtime, as the alcohol content is generallylower than most wines, often between 8 to 10%. Thewines also vary in levels of sweetness, from bone drythrough to medium sweet on the palate.Non-sworn staff made upPolice numbers duringpresidential visit to CanberraVolunteers and office workers were dressed as police to bolstersecurity numbers during a visit to Canberra by US PresidentGeorge W Bush last year, according to Associated Press..Around a dozen non-sworn members of the AustralianFederal Police were issued vests labelled “Police” and workedin secure areas during the president’s visit.A report by ACT Policing’s Professional Standards Unit saidthe move was inappropriate and urged a policy change.ACT’s chief police officer, John Davies, said while the inquiryfound non-sworn members wore vests with police labelling, italso found they did not perform roles or functions of officers.“The people identified wearing these items were given formalpermission and strict instructions on the wearing of theitems on police buses and within secured areas only,” MrDavies said.What about the Kerpen Wines?We started by tasting the drier styled wines, and my pickof these was the Kerpen Riesling Trocken 2002 (around$24). This standard Riesling was produced from fruit froma variety of sites. It had a fresh and vibrant nose, and wasclean and fresh on the palate. The slightly acidic and citruscharacteristics gave it flavours similar to acid drop lollies. Agood example of entry level German Riesling.Interestingly, we tried an aged version of one of the simplerwines, to get an impression of what these wines can dowith a bit of age on them. The results were stunning. The1997 Kerpen Riesling had a beautiful balance of citrus fruit,sweetness, acidity, and beautiful mouthfeel. It had developedthose wonderful honey and mineral secondary flavours thatRiesling is renowned for. The standard Riesling sells for around$24 also. Given the potential these wines have to develop, Ithought this was good buying.When we got into the single vineyard classified Rieslings thequality stepped up dramatically. The Kerpen WehlenerSonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese 2002 was a wonderful wine. Theviscosity or texture of this wine is dramatic, as are it’s expressiveflavours and length on the palate. This is a complex wine, bestserved on a special occasion with fine seafood. Priced in the mid$30’s it’s not an everyday wine, but is still well priced when youconsider it is a premium example of Riesling from arguably thebest Riesling region in the world.So where do you buy these wines?Sorry, you won’t find these wines in your favouritesupermarket. However, MacVine International Ltd operatefrom Blenheim and distribute these wines to fine wine retailersthroughout the country. Their phone number is 03 570 2118.Logan Alderson’s retirement functionSergeant Logan Alderson of Napier Prosecutions is retiringon Friday, 24 September 2004. Logan’s retirement functionis being held at the Napier Police Canteen (2nd Floor, NapierPolice Station) from 5.00pm.If you wish to register your interest and/or would likeaccommodation details please contact: Senior Sergeant JoHill (67870 or 06 873 0570) or Sergeant Freddy Van Duuren(67046 or 06 831 0746). Alternatively, Jo or Freddy can becontacted by Email via Lotus Notes.Logan will look forward to seeing as many of his old friendsand colleagues as possible.Henderson Police Club 30th anniversaryThe Henderson Police Club is celebrating the 30th anniversaryof its foundation with a function on Saturday 30 October 2004.The club is wanting all past members, who may be interestedin attending, to contact the club to register their interest.Please contact the following for details:Theresa McCabe or Frank Meason, Henderson Police,Phone: (09) 839-0600 or Fax: (09) 836-9432.Memorial WallOur sympathies to all our members’families for those who have passedaway in recent months...We remember…Who passed away…PARTRIDGE Allan Joseph 12-Jul-04 Spouse of non-sworn member InvercargillWILLIAMS Brian John 24-Jul-04 Retired member NapierBARNARD Nigel John 31-Jul-04 Retired member AucklandHICKS Walter Michael 31-Jul-04 Retired member WaikanaeSENIOR-PARTRIDGE Jeanie 10-Aug-04 Widow of sworn member HamiltonSAMUEL Miimaria Vanessa 18-Aug-04 Non-sworn member Wellington164

New Zealand Police AssociationSeptember 2004• The new Greytown home is close to local shops and cafes.• The new Auckland apartment is in this Newmarket complex.New holiday homesavailableThe new Greytown holiday home has now beenrelocated and will be ready for occupancy for theupcoming school holidays. This new home is ideallylocated in central Wairarapa, and only a few minutes walkfrom local cafés and shopping.Also, the first of two apartments in central Auckland hasbeen purchased and this will be ready for occupancyby the upcoming school holidays. The two-bedroomapartment is situated in Newmarket, which has excellentshopping and is only minutes from downtown Auckland.It is close to the Auckland Domain, museum and hospital.Members staying at the home will have access to manyof the facilities in the complex, including a swimmingpool, sauna, gymnasium and tennis courts.“The purchase of these new homes has been fundedthrough profits from other Police Welfare Fund productsthat are supported by most members. These includeStaffpac Fire and General Insurance, Supplementary LifeInsurance and Police Welfare Fund Mortgages,” said PeteHayes, Police Welfare Fund Manager.To make bookings at any of the Police Welfare Fundholiday homes, members should call the MemberServices Centre on 0800 500 122 or visit our website at:www.policeassn.org.nzNo brainerThis exchange was among many othersthat actually occurred in court and weretaken down, word for word by courtreporters and subsequently published inthe book Disorder in the court.Q: Doctor, before you performed theautopsy, did you check for a pulse?A: No.Q: Did you check for blood pressure?A: No.Q: Did you check for breathing?A: No.Q: So, then it is possible that the patientwas alive when you began the autopsy?A: No.Q: How can you be so sure, doctor?A: Because his brain was sitting on mydesk in a jar.Q: But could the patient have still beenalive, nevertheless?A: Yes, it is possible that he could havebeen alive and practicing law somewhere.HOLIDAY HOME AVAILABILITY– for bookings see: www.policeassn.org.nzSeptember October NovemberPaihia 1-2, 9,12,16 2-3, 9, 13, 21, 26-29 3-4, 7-12, 29-30Stanmore Bay 1-2, 5-9, 12-17, 26-30 2-7, 8, 10-14, 17-21, 25-29, 31 1-4, 5, 7-11, 12-18, 21-30Whangamata 1-3, 6-9, 14-16 3-7, 10-14, 19-22, 26-28, 31 1-4, 7-11, 12-18, 21-30Mount Maunganui 1-2, 5, 7-9, 14, 15, 20, 21-23, 4-7, 10-14, 17-21, 25-28 1-4, 8-11, 15-19, 22-25, 29Ohope 1-6, 8-9, 10, 12, 14-17, 26, 28 2-7, 10-22, 25-29 1-11, 14-16, 18, 23-25, 29-30Rotorua 6-9, 12, 13, 23, 28-29, 30 3, 4-7, 10-12, 14, 17-21 1-5, 7-10, 14-18, 19, 22-25, 28-30Taupo 9, 13, 16, 19 3, 6, 10-12, 14, 17-18, 20 1, 7-10, 15-18, 21, 23-24, 28-30Turangi Not available 3-7, 10, 13-15, 17-20, 25-29, 31 1-5, 9, 14, 16-17, 21-25, 28-30Napier 1-2, 6, 13, 14-16, 3-5, 6, 12-13, 17-20, 25-27, 31 1-5, 7, 9-12, 14-17, 22-23, 26Paraparaumu 6-9, 12-16 4-7, 20-21, 26, 31 1-4, 7, 9-12, 14-17, 22-23, 26Wellington 12 5-8, 20-21 1-4, 14-15, 22-24, 29Nelson 1-9, 15-18 2-8, 14, 17, 20-21, 25-29, 31 1-10, 16-17, 24-26Hanmer Springs 5-8, 29-30 6, 10-12, 14, 17-20, 21, 25-29, 30-31 1-4, 9-10, 15-16, 19Christchurch 18-23, 28-29 10-14, 17-21, 25, 26-27 23, 25-27, 29Tekapo 6-9, 13-15 4-7, 11-14, 20, 25 8-9, 24, 30Cromwell 5, 15-16 3-4, 11-12, 21, 28 9, 12-18, 22-23Wanaka 22-24 13, 18-19, 21, 26, 28 1, 8, 15-19, 30Queenstown 7-9, 14-16 Not available 4, 7Te Anau 1-7, 9-14 1, 3-7, 10-12, 17-21,22, 25-27, 31 1-3, 7-8, 11, 16-18, 21-28, 30Dunedin 1-2, 7-8, 12, 15 7, 12 2-3, 7, 14165

September 2004Police graves rededicatedA large crowd of relatives, policepersonnel and a former colleague wason hand at Waikumete Cemetery on 30July for the rededication of the gravesof two police officers - Constable NeilMcLeod and Constable Percy Tulloch- who were slain on duty.Project Respect, an initiative ofcommunity relations staff at Henderson,tidied up the graves of both officers aftertheir grave sites had been discovered ina state of disrepair.Neil McLeod was the first policemanto be slain on duty in New Zealand.He was shot dead on 30 July 1890,onboard a steamer, while on transfer toAuckland. He was killed in front of hiswife and child.One of four officers killedPercy Tulloch died on 8 October 1941when shot dead by Stanley Graham.He was one of four police officers, twohome guardsman, and a civilian whowere shot dead near Hokitika.The Commissioner of Police, RobRobinson, spoke at the ecumenicalservice.Police News The Voice of PoliceAmongst the mourners was FrankMcCulloch, a former colleague of PercyTulloch. Frank was part of the guard ofhonour at the funeral of the 35-year-old.“It was a very miserable day...and theoccasion made it more miserable,” MrMcCulloch told the Western Leader afterthe service.The clean-up was organised by SergeantBrian Louden of Henderson and localpolice staff.“When you make the ultimate sacrificeyou deserve to be remembered,” BrianLouden said.• Commissioner Rob Robinson addresses the crowd alongsidethe headstone of Neil McLeod during the rededication. (Photocourtesy of Mediapix).IT’S A BOB’S LIFE…By Rohan Stace• Local police officers mingled with family members at therededication. (Photo courtesy of Mediapix).166

New Zealand Police AssociationSeptember 2004Investing, property and diversificationThere is now a widespread perceptionthat falling house prices are about towipe billions of dollars from the assetsof homeowners and investors. Thisis of particular concern, as residentialproperty has become a very popular formof retirement savings, especially in NewZealand.As in Australia and the United Kingdom,the amazing rise in houseprices in New Zealand has anincredible similarity to pricebooms witnessed in other typesof assets in the past. Although thecycles in each country are outof-syncin their timing, thedownturn in the Melbourneapartment market islikely to soon haverepercussions forthe rest of Australiaand eventually perhapsfor house prices in New Zealand.While everyone can argue that what’shappening in their neighbourhood isdifferent, history shows that bursting assetbubbles spread contagion far further thaninitially forecast.Learning from historyInvestors and homeowners only needto look at the dynamics of the previousboom - the dotcom bubble of the late1990s - to determine how they shouldconsider reacting to the prospect of aforced devaluation of their wealth.The dotcom collapse dented investorconfidence in sharemarkets around theworld and also prompted decisions byeconomic policy-makers, which had theby-product of boosting investment inhousing.The poor performance of equity markets,the abnormally long duration of thebusiness downturn, and the corporateaccounting scandals caused investors toshift their focus to bricks and mortar.They quickly developed a preference forassets that they could manage themselves.The confidence in one type of asset wasdriven by the loss of confidence in thealternatives.Ironically, for many investors, theunwinding of the first bubble becamethe justification for participation in thesecond bubble.Supporting economic growthThe second major driver was the responseof central banks to the developingeconomic risks that came from the slumpin sharemarkets and the nervousnessresulting from terrorism. Central banks,to varying degrees, took emergencymeasures to ensure that economic growthwas supported, even if it was from debtfundedconsumer spending.These emergency measures took the formof abnormally low interest rates, whichhave been maintained well beyond theend of the period of crisis. The bankingsector’s preference for lendingagainst real estate has channelledthis monetary stimulus directlyat property buyers. Highlyleveraged investorsshould be aware thatany withdrawal of thispreference is likelyto be a long andpainful process.The key lesson isthat any investment assetis likely to experience periods of underand over valuation as it moves from beingneglected to being popular and as itmoves from being unfashionable to highlyacceptable (either around the dinner tableor across the bank manager’s desk).The quick gain mentalityHistorically, the typical response of NewZealanders following the collapse of anyasset price bubbles has been to resolveto get out earlier next time around. Asa nation of debt-dependant speculatorswe continue to look for the quick gains.Asset price bubbles are often seen asopportunities for participation rather thana risk to be avoided.Going forward, we recommend thebest approach for investors is to buildportfolios with a mix of financial assetsand real estate, which can ride out thecyclical fluctuations and smooth theoverall return.The fact that different types ofinvestments go through different cyclesshould be seen as an opportunity tospread risk. However, the typical NewZealander still has highly concentratedinvestments and often a high degree ofdebt.The sooner New Zealanders invest inquality and diversify, the sooner wecan start to deal with the problem ofretirement savings.To speak with a Spicers Adviser todayabout your personal investment planplease call the Police Financial PlanningEnquiry Line on 0800 ON BEAT(0800 66 2328).Have those cheapairfares got youjumping withexcitement?Why don’t you check out Travelpacwhen you book your next trip?• Emergency Assistance 24 hours, 7days a week, anywhere in the world.• Comprehensive cover, that you andyour family can trust - when you need itmost.• 15% premium discount for membersof Police Health Plan (this discount isautomatically included in the Travelpac ratingchart).Plus our commitment to providing you withexceptional, professional service.Check out our website:www.policeassn.org.nzOr call us 0800 500 122Mon - Fri 8am to 5:30pmYou’d be flipping-well mad not to!Need a 2005wallplanner for yourteam or station?Wait - don’t order one yet!Our A2 wallplanners are beingreproduced for 2005 and will be sentto your local Association committeefor distribution shortly.The planners note useful dates likePolice pay days, holiday home ballotperiods, when daylight savings timebegins and ends, Police memorial day,school term start and finish dates andwhen your 2.5% general pay increaseapplies from.167

September 2004Police News The Voice of PolicePOLICE COUNCIL OF SPORTSPORTS NEWSTo contact the Police Council of Sport, call Alison Murray at the RNZPC. Ph: (04) 238 3139Mountain bike and road cycling champs in OctoberThe New Zealand Police Associationand Council of Sport Police MountainBike and Road Cycling Championships’will be held in Christchurch from 28-30October this year.The mountain bike and downhillevents will take place on Thursday,28 October. The road race will beraced on Friday, 29 October. Allevents are likely to be raced overthree categories, each with several ageclasses. Full details will be publishedonce finalised.In addition to the championshipevents, there will be a three-stage2005 Surfboard champsset for New PlymouthExpressions of interest are sought frommembers who would like to competein the NZ Police surfboard ridingchampionships, to be contested in NewPlymouth on 23 February 2005.Organisers need a firm indication of howmany are interested in competing beforefinal preparations are made for the event.The Taranaki coastline is conducive tosome of the best surf in the country andcompetitors will have access to the NewPlymouth Board Riders’ clubrooms,qualified judges and the flexibility tochange venues as and when required. Thetide plays a big part in the quality of thesurf in the region and this has been takeninto account in the venue selection.Initial interest and questions can bedirected to Grant Coward extn 63002or Email him on Lotus Notes.Police shootingchamps in NovemberThe 2004, 23rd RNZAF Interbasetournament, in conjunction with the17th Police Champs and the 12th JointServices Champs will be contested atWaitemata on 9 and 11 November, 2004.All interested shooters please contactPaul Burns at Polsport@clear.net.nz(South Island competitors) or RogerBright on Lotus Notes (North Islandcompetitors). Paul can be also becontacted by phone on: 021 2876 743tour on Saturday, 30 October. Thisis held to offer all competitors theopportunity to get more out of theirvisit to Christchurch by participatingtogether over an entire day. There willbe five classification jerseys on offer, forexample the yellow ‘tour leader’ jerseyand green ‘sprint ace’ jersey.High interest alreadyBoth mountain bike and road cyclingare popular sports for police members.Already high interest has been shownfor the championships, and a largenumber of competitors are expected.Entry forms will be available onlinein the coming weeks. Financialmembers of the New Zealand PoliceCouncil of Sport will be invited tomake application to their local PoliceCouncil of Sport and/or directly to theorganisers for funding to assist withtravel, accommodation and entry fee.This is a timely reminder forcompetitors to start training and toplan for taking leave.Any queries can be directed to theevent organisers, Greg Luxton(Court Escort Section, Christchurch)or Greg Hume (Beat Section,Christchurch).NZ Police Council of Sport2004 CALENDAR OF EVENTSFor more information regarding any of these events, or including otherPolice national sporting events, contact: Alison Murray (04) 238 3139;Email: councilofsport@xtra.co.nzSeptember9-19 Soccer vs Queensland - Queensland16 & 17 NZ Police Snowboard Champs - CardronaContact: Ian Tuke on Lotus Notes20-25 Police Hockey teams competing in Nationals - men’s held in Ashburton,and women’s in Tauranga Contact: Pete West extn: 65629October4-6 Ski Champs - Turoa. Contact: Neil Warren extn: 7904119 & 20 Sevens Rugby Tournament - Palmerston NorthNetball trials (included at event)28-30 NZ Police Mountain biking & Road cycling Champs - ChristchurchContact: Greg Luxton extn: 3640031 - 2 South Island Golf Championships - TimaruNovember Contact: Mike Wingfield extn: 35062November9-11 17th Police Champs Trap & Skeet - WaitemataContact: Paul Burns 021 287 674316-21 Police Cricket - Australasian Police Cricket ChampionshipContact: Paul Johannsen extn: 37940, Geoffrey Ringer extn: 9578921 South Island Touch Championship - Ohoka, Nth CanterbutyContact: Tony Maw extn: 35783 or 025 200 131126-28 National Squash Tournament - TaupoContact: Sean Millar extn: 74340February 200521-23 National Surfboarding Champs - New PlymouthContact: Grant Coward extn: 63002March4-12 3rd Annual Super Games - AucklandApril9-16 Australia & NZ Police & Emergency Services Games - Adelaide, Australia168

New Zealand Police AssociationSeptember 2004Keenly fought finals at indoor bowls champsQuestion: What do a DistrictCommander, a retired Staff SeniorSergeant, and a speed cameraoperator have in common?Answer: They were all members ofthe winning team that took out thefours title at the 41st NZPA PoliceIndoor Bowls Championships inWhakatane on 31 July.Pamela Bryan skipped her Manawatuteam of Eric Bryan, Mark Lammasand Roly Glass to victory over theirNew Plymouth counterparts - RayBailey, Trevor Owen, Yvonne Baileyand Frankie Owen in the final.The final score of 14-5 was the sameas in the plate event, which saw RayHill, Cliff Inglis, Les Lilly and SteveCruickshank from Whakatane defeatfirst-time entrants Ross, Bruce, Lanceand Frank Barker from Rotorua.The pairs final, played the followingday, saw Carol and Alan Buckleyfrom Rotorua feature in a nail-bitingfinish against veteran players Ray andMaxine Gribble from Tauranga. Thevery experienced Tauranga pairinghad won the title in 2000 and 2001,but were unable to turn up trumpsthis year, going down in a hard foughtmatch by 8-7.Pamela and Eric Bryan demonstratedsome consistency from the previousday’s play to win the plate pairs by 10-5 against Trevor and Frankie Owen.There were four additional fours teamsentered in this year’s tournament, thefirst significant increase in a numberof years.• Fours winners (from left to right): Mark Lammas, Eric Bryan,Pamela Bryan and Roly Glass.NZ PoliceCouncil of SportNational Police SquashTournamentTaupo - November 26th to November 28th 2004NZ Police Council of Sport in Association with Taupo SquashPresentThe 1st Annual National Police Squash TournamentVenue: Taupo Squash Rackets Club - AC Baths Avenue - TaupoDates: Friday 26th November to Sunday 28th November 2004Starting from: 6pm Friday until 3pm SundayEntry fee: $100.00 per team of 4 or $25.00 individualFormat: National trophy for winning team - Prizes for all gradesAccommodation: Go to this website for all details -www.laketauponz.com - click on - ‘ Where to Stay ‘Entry includes carvery dinner & entertainment on Saturday nightTheme night - great prizes to be won.All enquiries & entries should be addressed to -The Tournament Director, Sean Millar, Tel: (Mobile): 027 497 5784or Geoff Duff, Tel: (Mobile) 027 445 2092.Alternatively you can Email: tauposquash@clear.net.nzOr Fax: (07 ) 376 7190 or Telephone the club: (07) 378 8392.• Pairs winners (left to right): Carol Buckley and Alan BuckleyWanted: Touch rugby teamsThe New Zealand Police Association South Island Police TouchTournament is being held on Sunday, 21 November 2004.As usual, it will be held at the Mandeville Sports Centre,Ohoka, North Canterbury.The tournament will again double as a national trial andthe national selector will be on site with a view to selectingplayers for the 30s mixed, 40s men’s and open mixednational Police touch rugby teams. The nationals will beheld in March 2005.To be eligible for selection, members must register with theorganisers prior to the close off date.This is a great family day out with loads of free -entertainment for the kids. Entry fee is only $150 per teamand entries close 31 October 2004. For further details onthe contact person in your area, please Email: AnthonyMaw via Lotus Notes or alternatively you can ringTony at Rangiora Police Station on (03) 313 2683,(network extension 35760).Chaplain appointedPastor Brian James Hagger has been appointed as a PoliceChaplain in the Bay of Plenty District. Brian took up hisappointment in June.Visit www.policeassn.org.nz for updated contact details for thePolice Council of Sport management committee, District Sports Officers and the latest schedule of events.169

September 2004Police News The Voice of PoliceLetters to the Editor 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 theright to edit, abridge or decline letters without explanation. Write to: editor@policeassn.org.nzor post it to the Editor at PO Box 12344, Wellington. Letters under 400 words are preferred.It’s all piling upI am a detective, with 11 years service,sitting at my desk in the Kaikohe CIUlooking at a pile of Eastlight folders.Each contains complaints ranging fromserious to very serious offences and I ponderwhen will I ever see the light at the end ofthe tunnel.In terms of staff dealing with serious andviolent crime, our numbers in this officehave remained unchanged for over 10 years.We ask for more staff but are constantly toldthere is nothing in the kitty to pay for them.However, I look out the window and seevolumes of road policing staff drivingaround doing their job and I wonder wherethe Police are going.Why are the Police bosses shafting the CIB?Where are they taking us? Is it all aboutdollars? Are we serious about dealing tocrime?I feel the weight of the disillusioned sinkingin.Recently, during an inter-governmentalagency co-operation operation, namedOperation Clagg, I got to speak to manytalented people, a great deal of them ex-Police members that had left for the samereasons that I’m feeling now.Customs officers tell me they have an hourfor hour TOIL rule. Overtime is paid attime and a half if the TOIL creeps up overa certain amount. It evidently works well.They don’t resent working overtime when it’srequired as they recoup it at the other end.Customs bosses monitor any overtime dueto costs and therefore this has the effect oflimiting any excessive hours worked. This inturn helps officers maintain a good familyworklife balance.Everytime, I pick up Police News and readabout the administration baulking at thisand challenging that it emphasises a feelingthat we are not valued.A recent example is the Holidays Actchanges. Instead of accepting that legislationsays that operational requirements willnecessitate paying some staff a little moreif they work public holidays and preparingahead of time, so that the transition issmooth, the department baulk and try andnegotiate using the worn out line that itsalready built into our pay.I’d be interested in what others think.Matt King(Kaikohe)Grading of police driversI have just read that Police will gradepolice drivers and mark them as bronze,silver or gold in future.Evidently, bronze drivers can only takepart in a pursuit by following the roadrules - i.e.- 50 kph in a 50 kph area andso on. I understand that gold-gradeddrivers lead the pursuit. Just as well it’snot the bronze-graded cop!How crazy is this? I cannot believe thereis such a system, which effectively putsthe brakes on the ‘goodies’ that are tryingto stop the ‘baddies’.The accidents that resulted in deaths inthe pursuits (from which this new gradingsystem grew) surely are not purely theresult of bad police driving.How many ‘gold’ drivers should therebe on a section, in case there’s a pursuit?There could be many weird scenariosaround such a ridiculous system.Imagine if this system applied to firearms.Perhaps gold graders would be allowedto discharge their weapons, silver gradersmay be able to aim them and if you havea bronze grading maybe you are allowedto hold the ammo. And maybe only policeofficers that have P1 PCT cards shouldbe the ones to run after offenders with P2second and the P3 have to stay in the car.When will offenders be truly recognisedas being the prime cause of angst in thecommunity? They make decisions thataffect other’s safety and wellbeing. Policeare the ones that have to follow behindthem, to find ways to make it a betterplace to live in for everyone. And if thatmeans chasing them in a car, on foot orwhatever, to be able to take the initiative,to be proactive and to keep the pressureon, then so be it.Jo Fox(Taradale)Comms bashingalive and well?Having read Fiona and Leigh Sefton’sletter, it is heart-warming to see thatComms-bashing is not restricted toofficers currently serving in the NewZealand Police.Naturally, their well-informed views, inretirement, gleaned from their still deliveredPolice News, are most appreciated.Lisa Thompson(Christchurch)Learning a lessonIn reply to Fiona and Leigh Sefton - I workin South Comms and have experienced 20years as a sworn officer and eight years as anon-sworn member of Comms.I worked under the old CAD system passingpieces of paper to the dispatcher and yes,this did work well when you handled 50calls per 24-hour period. In an environmenthandling over 1000 calls in the same period,we need to have controls and measures(mainly for the bean counters) and yes, Ido agree, we are not perfect but we are stillstriving for perfection and still trying to getit right. In the old CAD system the lost 111calls was an unknown quantity. We can nowmeasure the lost 111 calls on our handsInstead of bagging Comms staff for the lackof service, bag the politicians for not enoughstaff to handle the call volume. Or enoughstreet staff to attend to the increased volumeof offences committed. Or for the waitingperiod suffered by the public before theycan get to see a police officer.In regards to “local knowledge”, this isa rare luxury we all wish we had, withno difference between Comms or on thestreet. Street staff don’t know all the “littlealleyways found on night shift” any more.They don’t have the time to look. Wewitness them being run off their feet goingfrom job to job, often without a break,and yes, contrary to popular belief, we dosympathise.There is no difference in a sworn membershifting to the South Island for a lifestylechange and asking a non-sworn dispatcherfor directions from a mapping system that issecond-to-none. It takes time to gain “localknowledge”.In response to the “burgs on”; under theold system many of the crims were on footand legging it, whereas today’s offenders aremore mobile and unless you have cordonsin place within minutes we are just wastingeveryone’s time.In response to “jobs need to be held bysworn officers who have worked on thestreet”. The Police don’t have many staff thathave worked on the street for long periods.This is because it is too easy to look for a jobwhere you don’t work overtime, carry 30active files and have to go to court for a notguilty case on your days off.The non-sworn staff that take the flak,work in a support role to sworn staff,thus freeing up positions that allow more170

New Zealand Police AssociationSeptember 2004staff to attend to the jobs. Many of thesenon-sworn staff come from the “Policeculture”. They are either ex-police officersor come from families of police membersand they have a bundle of knowledge,skills and understanding.To Fiona and Leigh, I hope you enjoyyour retirement and if you are ever inAuckland, Wellington or Christchurchcome in and have a look at Comms - youmay be impressed.Paul Visser(Canterbury)Body armour concernsHas anyone noticed that the trials of thebody armour are being conducted in thewinter? The standard polyester mix Policeshirt, worn under an overt vest, in NewZealand summer temperatures, breathesabout as much as a plastic rubbish bag.Heat exhaustion and comfort will be anissue. Most of us agree that body armouris a great idea, but would like to have theopportunity to have a little input intothese trials. Have the rural cops beenasked to trial the gear? Who do we sendour comments, opinions and concernsto? Does anyone out there know whereI can get a buckle for my duty-belt, a leglength for my trousers, or do you knowany person who would be seen in publicwearing a cardboard cowboy hat? Is thisgoing to be another case of front-linepolice receiving a piece of equipment thatis below their expectations?Jared Thompson(Takapuna)Thanks for your letter Jared. If youhave concerns about the armour youcan either address them to your localAssociation rep or to National Office(Industrial team, P.O. Box 12344,Wellington) or you can write directly tothe Office of the Commissioner outliningyour concerns, as there is a workingparty involved in the process. - EditorDemerit points could bethe answerI saw the Holmes show which related toalleged traffic ticket quotas. I’ve heardboth positive and negative commentsabout the show’s content. The argumentcontinues about road safety versusrevenue collecting and quotas. I’m allfor safer roads and I’m sure every policeofficer is as well.The main issue that continuously arisesis the one relating to revenue. Frommy point of view, let’s take the revenuecomponent out of the argument. If thegovernment was serious about makingroads safer then the focus should be onpositive enforcement not negative bymeans of a monetary penalty. My ideawould be to drop the fines and make alltickets demerit-based, this would includetickets issued by speed cameras.For those offences, which already havea demerit component, increase them,but for all others just add them. Themechanics of the demerit-based systemwould need to be thoroughly investigatedand correctly implemented in an openand fair way.However, at the end of the day, I believethe fear of losing your licence wouldachieve greater compliance then thecurrent system. There is no ambiguitywith this, revenue collecting will not bean issue, enforcement by quotas will notbe an issue, and road safety would be theonly issue.Eddie Baker(Dunedin)The thinning blue lineI read with interest the article in theAugust Police News, “Playing the Aucklandnumbers game”. The hardships faced bythose in Auckland are to a lesser degree(perhaps) mirrored in many other areas ofNew Zealand also.There was, unfortunately, one glaringabsence of information in the articlethough. While a graph was presentedshowing the changes in sworn numbersby Police District 2000-2003, where wasOoC? Any chance of seeing these figuresplease?To the best of my knowledge, the onlyincrease in staffing levels in my District(Eastern) recently has been the taskspecific, newly-funded roles, suchas: Road Policing’s Tactical AlcoholGroup and State Highway Patrol staffand Analysts, Youth Project Staff, LawEnforcement Teams, Analysts and Intell.Perhaps there are others? They all do afine job, but they are “ring fenced.”Despite population increases etc, I amyet to see any change in the GDB staffinglevels in 11 years, even when there isa noticeable increase in strategic crimefigures. It is not uncommon to have asergeant or acting sergeant plus three staffworking late shift and even nightshifts.This is for a group, on paper, whoapparently has a sergeant plus seven.The Martin Review did few districtsany favours, but regrettably we don`tappear to operate on a level playing fieldnationwide. When a halt was placed onreducing numbers, those areas/districts,who were perhaps more proactive inreaching their staffing targets, don’tappear to have got them back, whencompared to the wiser districts and areas,who shall we say, dragged their feet at thetime and subsequently still hold thosenumbers/positions. What interests me, isthe array of positions advertised aroundthe country that this district does not evenhave. Is there no formula or structure thatall districts should operate under?I totally agree that the thin blue line isthinning, nationwide no doubt? The“fat in the system” has gone. In fact, weare well into the bone! Tighten the beltseveryone....work smarter and harder!!Mike O`LearyHastingsWhy computerssometimes crash!By Dr SeussIf a packet hits a pocket on asocket on a port, and the bus isinterrupted at a very last resort;and the access of the memorymakes your floppy disk abort,then the socket packet pocket hasan error to report.If your cursor finds a menu itemfollowed by a dash, and thedouble-clicking icon puts yourwindow in the trash; and yourdata is corrupted because theindex doesn’t hash, then yoursituation’s hopeless and yoursystem’s gonna crash!If the label on the cable on thetable at your house, says thenetwork is connected to thebutton on your mouse; but yourpackets want to tunnel to anotherprotocol, that’s repeatedly rejectedby the printer down the hall.And your screen is all distortedby the side effects of gauss, soyour icons in the window are aswavy as a souse; then you mayas well reboot and go out with abang, ‘cuz sure as I’m a poet, thesucker’s gonna hang.When the copy on your floppy’sgetting sloppy in the disk, and themacro code instructions is causingunnecessary risk; then you’ll haveto flash the memory and you’llwant to RAM your ROM, and thenquickly turn off the computer andbe sure to tell your Mom!Well, that certainly clears thingsup for me. How about you?Thank you, Bill Gates, for bringingall this into our lives.171