Police News May - New Zealand Police Association

New Zealand Police AssociationMay 2004PCA Amendment Bill seeks to remove secrecy provisionsIn late March, under urgencyprovisions, the Governmentintroduced an amendment to thePolice Complaints Authority Actthat would retrospectively removethe secrecy provisions that covercommunications to the PCA.The purpose of this legislation is toallow the Commission of Inquiryaccess to PCA (Police ComplaintsAuthority) files, which had previouslybeen confidential under the PCA Act(1988).On April 21 the Police Associationpresented both written and oralsubmissions to The Law and OrderSelect Committee opposing the scopeof these changes.“Effectively, the legislation means thatthe government has trampled down aconstitutional fence, when in essenceall it needed to do was open a gate,”Police Association President, GregO’Connor said.• Greg O’Connor addresses the SelectCommittee.Media coverage?The concern for individuals, whohave previously given evidence tothe PCA, under the understandingthat their testimony would remainconfidential, is that their statementscould now end up in the publicdomain.The principle involved is important,not only in terms of protecting therights of those who were guaranteedconfidentiality when dealing withthe PCA previously, but also in termsof the retrospective nature of thelegislation and the constitutionalissues which arise as a result.Perhaps the last word on the issuecould be left to the Minister incharge of Privacy matters, AssociateMinister of Justice, Lianne Dalziel,who made reference to the PrivacyAct at a Privacy Forum meeting inMarch last year: “Some critics appearto misunderstand the key focusof the Act. Namely that it is aboutindividuals being able to access toinformation about themselves, andto have some say over the flow ofinformation about themselves toothers.”The new legislation effectivelyeradicates the latter protection.• Association President, Greg O’Connor (middle) makes a point to the committee. Counsel Susan Hughes (left) andIndustrial Officer, Simon Feltham (right) also represented members.Be in quick - only 15copies leftThere are now only 15 copies left of the “Police inSport” book written by Ray Read and Joe Franklin.This book is an excellent reference book, coveringover 25 different sports and numerous sportingevents. The book features many coloured and blackand white photos of past and present police officers,in their chosen sport.This book has been purchased by many librariesaround New Zealand due to it’s factual contentand easy to read style. It is also a good walk downmemory lane, for members, both past and present.The price of a copy is $59.95 and orders can beplaced with Alison Murray - (04) 238 3139.Sport:Basketball trialThe NZ Police basketball season is to begin in June atthe RNZPC.Men’s and women’s players are invited to attend a trialand training at the college during the weekend 11-13June, 2004. Games against the NZ Defence Forces men’sand women’s teams will be hosted during the weekend.Players must be sworn members of Police.Accommodation will be at the RNZPC. Players will haveto arrange their own travel.October 10 - 16 2004 is the annual tournament againstthe Australian Police and is being hosted by the FederalPolice in Canberra. Travel and accommodation costs willhave to met by individual players.Contact Gordon Meyer on 03-379 3999 (Sydenham).69