<strong>Police</strong><strong>New</strong>sThe Voice of <strong>Police</strong>by Ricky CollinsThe highs and lowsof wine tastingThe start of 2010 has been a series of highsand lows for me, when it comes <strong>to</strong> winetasting. Traditionally, it’s a period whenorganised commercial tastings dry up as wineretailers take a well-earned break. Thesetastings are one of <strong>the</strong> main avenues that I have <strong>to</strong> try new wines andsort out what’s worth recommending and what’s not.I also have a small but dedicated group of fellow local wine nerdswho share <strong>the</strong> same passion for wine tasting, and we get <strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>rregularly and share new or interesting wines with each o<strong>the</strong>r. Theseget <strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>rs also help <strong>to</strong> form my opinion on what styles of wineI might like <strong>to</strong> follow, or recommend. Unfortunately <strong>the</strong>se tastingsalso tend <strong>to</strong> drop off at this time of <strong>the</strong> year, with people away onholiday. So <strong>the</strong> Christmas holiday period can be a bit dull as far aswine tasting is concerned.Added <strong>to</strong> this, <strong>the</strong> <strong>New</strong> Year brought with it <strong>the</strong> impending closureof my local specialist wine s<strong>to</strong>re. Munslow’s Fine Wines has been<strong>the</strong> premier specialist wine s<strong>to</strong>re in Dunedin for <strong>the</strong> last 15 years,providing a great selection of wines from across <strong>the</strong> world andexcellent advice <strong>to</strong> Otago cus<strong>to</strong>mers. Unfortunately, <strong>the</strong> growingpressure of price-cutting by <strong>the</strong> supermarkets has finally taken its<strong>to</strong>ll. The full impact of Munslow’s closure will certainly be felt across<strong>the</strong> whole region. None more so than <strong>the</strong> myriad of Central Otagowine producers who will now be wondering where <strong>the</strong>y might getan opportunity <strong>to</strong> introduce <strong>the</strong>ir wine <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> market. Mark and histeam will be sorely missed. It’s fair <strong>to</strong> say, this was not a great start<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> wine tasting year.Luckily, this year I had <strong>the</strong> prospect of helping organise <strong>the</strong> <strong>New</strong><strong>Zealand</strong> Masters Games Wine Options Championship. Prior <strong>to</strong> this,I had some concerns that interest in wine tasting was faltering. Butseeing 50-odd teams of four competing for <strong>the</strong> honour of national“senior” wine tasting champs over two evenings has gone someway <strong>to</strong> res<strong>to</strong>ring my faith in <strong>the</strong> industry. It was great <strong>to</strong> see peoplerelatively new <strong>to</strong> wine tasting get <strong>the</strong> bug, just as I did many yearsago.Wine of <strong>the</strong> monthLes Volcans Syrah 2007 rrp $22This warm and juicy red is a result of sourcing fruit from France andcombining it with <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong>winemaking skills. Theo Coles,based at Waipara wineryCrater Rim has managed<strong>to</strong> land some excellent fruitfrom <strong>the</strong> Langedoc regionand transformed it in<strong>to</strong> a veryappealing wine. It has darkberry fruit notes with a savouryfeel <strong>to</strong> it, firm tannins and adry finish. Look out for it onspecial at your local specialistwine s<strong>to</strong>re, if you still have one.O<strong>the</strong>rwise, give Vino Fino orDecant a call in Christchurch.1 2 3 4 5 6 7Please note: All you crossword exponents out <strong>the</strong>re will, from this issue, be able <strong>to</strong> checkyour answers immediately by turning <strong>the</strong> page up <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r way for <strong>the</strong> answers <strong>to</strong> thismonth’s puzzle.Clues:Across:2. Safer road campaigns are aimed atpreventing <strong>the</strong>se (9)8. Broadcasting (2,3)9. Stitches (7)10. A type of picture visualised inCourt? (10)12. <strong>Can</strong> be a major problem in any cityor <strong>to</strong>wn (5)14. Type of appliance used <strong>to</strong> s<strong>to</strong>pwetness (5)15. Annoyances (10)18. A coroner’s request? (7)19. Consumed (5)20. Notecase five hundred and mix forrecipes (9)<strong>Do</strong>wn:1. Positive ones help a good Section (5,7)2. Type of watch (8)3. Boat load (5)4. Pepper spray could make someone,this (13)5. Able <strong>to</strong> take a statement on (7)6. Fa<strong>the</strong>r (4)7. Falsely advertises (13)11. Kind of re<strong>to</strong>rts? (8)13. Clean belief (7)16. Child’s reward (5)17. Ano<strong>the</strong>r water (4)8 91012 13 1415 161718 192011February answers:Across:1. Goal3. Database9. License10. Cared11. Indefensible13. Liquid15. Mascot17. Visitational20. Often21. Chemist22. Annoying23. Eels<strong>Do</strong>wn:1. Gullible2. Arced4. Ageing5. Acclimatised6. Acrylic7. Ends8. Inefficiency12. Athletes14. Quieten16. Falcon18. Noise19. SofaMarch answers:Across: 2. Accidents. 8. On air. 9. Sutures. 10. Pho<strong>to</strong>graph. 12. <strong>You</strong>th. 14. Drier.15. Agitations. 18. Inquest. 19. Eaten. 20. Anecdotes.<strong>Do</strong>wn: 1. Group dynamics. 2. Analogue. 3. Cargo. 4. Disorientated. 5. Notepad. 6. Sire.7. Misrepresents. 11. Ripostes. 13. Hygiene. 16. Treat. 17. Aqua.52March 2010
<strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong> <strong>Police</strong> AssociationWrite it here! Letters <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Edi<strong>to</strong>r are welcome.Signed letters are preferred, but in all cases <strong>the</strong> writer’s name and address must be supplied. Names will be published unless <strong>the</strong>re is a goodreason for anonymity. The edi<strong>to</strong>r reserves <strong>the</strong> right <strong>to</strong> edit, abridge or decline letters without explanation. Email <strong>to</strong>: edi<strong>to</strong>r@policeassn.org.nz orwrite it <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Edi<strong>to</strong>r at PO Box 12344, Welling<strong>to</strong>n. Letters under 400 words are preferred.<strong>Police</strong> bosses need <strong>to</strong> keepan open mind on armingI have been reading articles and listening <strong>to</strong>people in relation <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> debate whe<strong>the</strong>r ornot <strong>to</strong> arm police officers.Often <strong>the</strong> argument is that a Glock 9mmis no match against <strong>the</strong> high-poweredweapons that some of our criminals like <strong>to</strong>carry. This is true, but let’s not forget <strong>to</strong> atleast include in <strong>the</strong> argument <strong>the</strong> need foran officer <strong>to</strong> have some sort of immediateprotection available so that he or she may beable <strong>to</strong> get out of a situation or provide somesort of assistance <strong>to</strong> injured persons.Having a 9mm Glock, with 34 rounds,can provide this and some peace of mindif an officer is ever caught up in a firearmsincident. They are protected, <strong>to</strong> somedegree, if <strong>the</strong>y are pinned down or maybe able <strong>to</strong> return fire in order <strong>to</strong> force <strong>the</strong>offenders <strong>to</strong> ground, so as <strong>to</strong> effect an escape<strong>to</strong> a safer location.I hope that people within <strong>the</strong> organisationare not shutting <strong>the</strong> doors on arming <strong>the</strong><strong>Police</strong>. It is an issue that will keep croppingup and it is healthy <strong>to</strong> debate <strong>the</strong> pros andcons. It is not good enough for our managers<strong>to</strong> just say that it will not happen. They mustbe open-minded and fluid in <strong>the</strong>ir decisionmaking,adjusting <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> times and needs of<strong>the</strong> community and <strong>Police</strong> staff.As I write, <strong>the</strong>re was <strong>to</strong>day yet ano<strong>the</strong>rpursuit in <strong>the</strong> Waika<strong>to</strong> with a mo<strong>to</strong>rcyclist.When s<strong>to</strong>pped he was found in possessionof methamphetamine, ammunition and apis<strong>to</strong>l. It’s becoming all <strong>to</strong>o common now.<strong>Do</strong>n’t shut <strong>the</strong> door on <strong>the</strong> idea. Weighup <strong>the</strong> pros and cons. Make a valid andinformed decision.Andrew Knox(Hawke’s Bay)How many more officers have <strong>to</strong> diebefore NZ <strong>Police</strong> become armedYet ano<strong>the</strong>r police officer shot.I have been a police officer in <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong>for about 30 years. Previously, I had been in<strong>the</strong> Metropolitan <strong>Police</strong> for over four years.When I arrived I was struck by <strong>the</strong> lack ofviolence <strong>to</strong>wards police.I have never been afraid <strong>to</strong> carry or produce afirearm. I have held two suspects at gunpointand was prepared <strong>to</strong> shoot if necessary.Regarding arming police, I was comfortablecarrying a firearm but not always confiden<strong>to</strong>f my colleagues. The training has beenwoefully inadequate for <strong>the</strong> responsibilitywe are obliged <strong>to</strong> take on.I have heard <strong>the</strong> <strong>Police</strong> Commissioner talkabout <strong>the</strong> reasons for <strong>the</strong> proposed (and yetano<strong>the</strong>r) new system of firearms training. Icertainly agree that <strong>the</strong>re are some that donot need <strong>to</strong> be ‘firearms trained’. I am oneof those. But <strong>the</strong> new proposal goes <strong>to</strong>o far.As with most firearms training, I believe<strong>the</strong> system will be inadequate. It will lookgood <strong>to</strong> some, and allow <strong>Police</strong> NationalHeadquarters (PNHQ) <strong>to</strong> say that <strong>the</strong>y havecome up with ano<strong>the</strong>r successful proposal.As for ‘armed response vehicles’ - aninadequate response - it will be <strong>to</strong>o little<strong>to</strong>o late. They will arrive after <strong>the</strong> frontlinestaff has borne <strong>the</strong> onslaught. The ArmedOffenders Squad specialists usually arriveafter <strong>the</strong> situation has been ‘stabilised’.I have, for many years, expressed <strong>the</strong>opinion that I supported not being armedfulltime and that it would take three or fourpolice officers being murdered in a year forus <strong>to</strong> be armed fulltime. Unfortunately, weare approaching those numbers and I cansee no good reason <strong>to</strong> wait for more officers<strong>to</strong> die. The time has come for sworn staff <strong>to</strong>be armed fulltime. The last shooting was nota murder, but only by virtue of luck and <strong>the</strong>bravery of <strong>the</strong> rescuers.The <strong>Police</strong> Commissioner and <strong>the</strong>Government have <strong>to</strong> train and adequatelyequip staff. We now have <strong>to</strong> become anarmed <strong>Police</strong> Force. Our being armed maynot have s<strong>to</strong>pped <strong>the</strong> recent killings ofpolice officers but we will never know forsure. We only know when we are hurt orkilled. Being armed would give us a chanceat survival anyway.Michael Cornell(Auckland)The need for ‘real world’ trainingNick Hall’s letter in <strong>the</strong> January/Februaryedition of <strong>Police</strong> <strong>New</strong>s regarding Staff SafetyTactics training (SSTT) really struck a chordwith me. I fully agree with Nick that whena cop is assaulted that he/she relies on sheernaked aggression and <strong>the</strong> instinct <strong>to</strong> survive.Given <strong>the</strong> lack of any real world combat orrestraint training from <strong>Police</strong>, cops don’treally have much else unless <strong>the</strong>y haveattained skills outside <strong>the</strong> job. I have beena frontline cop for close <strong>to</strong> 18 years. Sheernaked aggression and <strong>the</strong> instinct <strong>to</strong> survivehas saved me from a hiding more than onceand been <strong>the</strong> difference between winninga fight and losing it. As my old grizzledsergeant <strong>to</strong>ld me years ago: “<strong>You</strong> are not paid<strong>to</strong> lose….so don’t!”Unfortunately in <strong>the</strong> current politicallycorrect environment, aggression seems<strong>to</strong> be a cardinal sin. It’s a dirty word. Butwhat about controlled aggression andassertiveness coupled with an appropriateskill set? How about we give frontline staffwho are dealing with violent, often drunk/drug-fuelled offenders on a daily basis, aneffective array of skills <strong>to</strong> protect <strong>the</strong>mselves.OC spray and a ba<strong>to</strong>n are great <strong>to</strong>ols butdon’t always have <strong>the</strong> immediate desiredeffect and <strong>the</strong>re will be times you don’t have<strong>the</strong> chance <strong>to</strong> deploy <strong>the</strong>m because eventsescalate <strong>to</strong>o fast. The Taser is a great bit ofkit but not everyone has one or access <strong>to</strong>one. Firearms are obviously a last resort butnot carried routinely.On that <strong>to</strong>pic, I believe we are not ready<strong>to</strong> be an armed constabulary. We don’t getenough range time for a start (does anyonethink once every six months is enough?).Politicians, <strong>Police</strong> hierarchy and civillibertarians won’t wear it and <strong>the</strong> public justisn’t ready for it. Unfortunately <strong>the</strong> bodycount is going <strong>to</strong> have <strong>to</strong> get much higherbefore it’s even seriously considered.The fact is eventually, you are going <strong>to</strong> have<strong>to</strong> get up close and personal with a violen<strong>to</strong>ffender who is doing his/her absolute best<strong>to</strong> escape from you, resist you, hurt youor even kill you. Most cops don’t have <strong>the</strong>fighting skills or ability <strong>to</strong> deal with thatscenario effectively and just do <strong>the</strong> best <strong>the</strong>ycan with what little training <strong>the</strong>y have had.This is often messy and results in injury. Wehave all seen situations where we see threeor four or even five cops on one offender,which never looks good. Is this <strong>the</strong>irfault? I don’t think so. It’s just that <strong>Police</strong>is failing <strong>to</strong> deliver <strong>the</strong> right training i.e.unarmed combat including ground fighting,control and restraint techniques. There areMarch 201053
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