tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59713078627153600022024-02-19T14:34:33.961+13:00Police Watch NZCYFSwatch, Lawgate, NZChildsupporttruth exposed a darker side of abuses by the State. Another State agency, The NZ Police, has anti-male and other corrupt ideology infiltrated into its mechanisms. An effective Minister, Commissioners Office and Police Complaints Authority comprised of persons with acumen and devoid of vested interest is not the reality we have. By public input we see how the Police are performing without political spin attached.Paul Cattonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11453126927471968373noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971307862715360002.post-70532799248185913512007-08-28T22:53:00.000+12:002007-09-07T16:25:40.039+12:00Apologies again for site inactivity.Life continues to grind on.<br />John Dewar found guilty, Taser trial reported a sucess by Police, Police car chase policy under scrutiny etc.....<br /><br />Police coming to the house at 00.30am on a Thursday morning etc..... looking for a never resident also threats and abuse in the letterbox, never mind.<br /><br />I reiterate my apology about site inactivity but my cap is elsewhere at the moment.Paul Cattonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11453126927471968373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971307862715360002.post-84241519660301098232007-07-25T17:24:00.000+12:002007-07-25T17:36:18.251+12:00Site InactivityDear Readers,<br /><br />Although further escapades of Police activity have been reported by the Mainstream Media, Bob Dewar, Clint taking on the Police, Ministerial rebuttal of Cadet convictions etc...<br />Policewatch has been busy with other developments.<br />Commendations goes to South Auckland Policing District in a proactive approach to domestic violence, and that recognition that men are being victim and require support.<br />Otahuhu Community Policing more than deserve this recognition as a leader in post millenium policing.Paul Cattonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11453126927471968373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971307862715360002.post-20506370665747598992007-07-08T19:13:00.000+12:002007-07-08T19:32:57.315+12:00111 Woes ContinueA traumatised home-invasion victim says the 111 system failed around 15 times as he tried to get help after armed intruders burst into his house.<br /><br />Businessman Arthur Gundy, 62, said he stood in his underwear with duct tape hanging from his wrists, repeatedly trying to get through to police for help.<br /><br />After 15 calls and 20 minutes, he said he had still not been connected through the 111 automated operator service.<br /><br />Gundy tried two different phones, called three or four times and looked for the Henderson Police Station in the phone book.<br /><br />Teleco responded:<br /><br />What happened here is the problem was in the sound – he could hear them but they could not hear him. <br />What Mr Gundy thought was an automated voice would have been the 111 operator reading out the options, which was standard procedure. <br /><br />While the fault would not have affected everyone in the area Telecom were investigating two other situations in Manukau on Thursday and Friday where a similar problem may have occurred. <br /><br />It does show other people were experiencing similar problems. <br /><br />If people did have trouble calling then they were advised to call the police, ambulance or fire services directly, rather than via the 111 system.Paul Cattonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11453126927471968373noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971307862715360002.post-86650339846310338652007-07-06T18:18:00.000+12:002007-07-07T10:13:08.287+12:00Policeman escapes assault convictionA long-serving Rotorua policeman followed a man around the back of a late-night diner and assaulted him, thinking he had raped his daughter.<br /><br />Senior Constable William Royal broke down in tears as he was discharged without conviction in Rotorua District Court yesterday.<br />He had earlier pleaded guilty to the charge of assaulting a Wellington man outside a popular late-night Rotorua diner on October 22.<br />He was waiting to be collected by his daughter in her car when he heard a commotion outside in the takeaway area of the diner.<br />When he went outside he saw the complainant, a Wellington man visiting Rotorua, on the ground surrounded by a group of men. There had been a fight.<br />Mr Royal asked what had happened and was told by his son, Willie Royal junior, that the man had raped Mr Royal's daughter.<br /><br />Staff took the complainant, who had suffered minor injuries, around to the back of the diner. The complainant told police Mr Royal followed him to the back of the premises and punched and kicked him several times around the body.<br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>The daughter was not raped</strong>.<br /><br />As a senior policeman with vast experience he should have let the law take its own course. Judge Thomas said the offending was of the lowest level and Mr Royal was entitled to keep his unblemished police record clear.Paul Cattonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11453126927471968373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971307862715360002.post-10314141101053346072007-06-26T19:40:00.000+12:002007-06-26T19:49:47.345+12:00Chinese policing and DIY Statements?A confused, mistake-ridden witness statement taken by a new Christchurch constable has raised fears over its reliability in court.<br />The statement, taken by a Chinese officer who joined the force this year, contains mistakes and confusing sentences, causing a woman to question whether she can properly defend herself.<br />The woman faces an assault charge, but she and her former husband, who signed the statement, say it has inaccuracies because of the constable's confusion over some words.<br />The statement included several spelling and grammatical errors.<br />In part it read: "Then she went up straightly and was very aggressive. She tell K... get your ... ass out of my coatch. I stood up and cut it out. H... started slashing me. I got long arm. She's just playing up."<br />Later, the man is quoted as saying: "My nose was bleeding and sour."<br />The statement has alarmed both parties, who felt they were not accurately represented, and lawyers said it could cause problems in a court hearing.<br />The Christchurch case comes as police consider formal pre-employment programmes for recruits from ethnic minorities who do not have English as a first language.<br />The programmes could also be used for would-be recruits who have problems with reading, writing and other basic skills as police battle for staff in an increasingly tight labour market.<br />The Christchurch complainant, who cannot be named because the matter is before the courts, said he had been misquoted by the officer, in particular over saying he had been slashed. He told the officer he had been scratched.<br />He said he "gave up and signed it" after the officer took over an hour and a half to take down the 30-line statement.<br />The man said the interview became an "ordeal" when he could not make himself and his clarifications understood.<br />He stopped giving some information when the officer "just didn't get it" and signed the statement just to end the painful process.<br />The constable was with a more senior officer, who appeared to be "babysitting" him, but the officer took his statement alone, the man said.<br />The woman said that when she obtained the statement as part of her pending court case, she realised how inadequate the officer's understanding of the situation was.<br />"He couldn't get what was going on and the statement reflects that. How can I defend myself when I can't even understand what I am being charged with," she said.<br />"The defence could say they didn't know what they had to defend. The whole thing could turn into a fiasco."<br /><br />Barrister Gerald Lascelles said he had not seen a case dismissed due to poor police reporting, but "the police force is changing".<br /><br />Both questioned whether he should have been allowed to graduate from police college.<br />Police national manager of human resources Wayne Annan said new Asian officers received extra language lessons and were supervised, as any new constable would be.<br /><br />Police Association president Greg O'Connor said he had heard the officer was an exceptional policeman.<br />"Clearly, people who have English as a second language do have added difficulties, but this is more than compensated for by the huge advantage of having someone who can speak another language," O'Connor said.Paul Cattonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11453126927471968373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971307862715360002.post-48737916389564867942007-06-24T16:03:00.000+12:002007-06-24T16:10:14.399+12:00Police and Smacking, let the games beginNew police guidelines for handling complaints about smacking children are unnecessarily restrictive and remove officers' discretion.<br />Police Association president Greg O'Connor said the guidelines defeated the purpose of an amendment meant to allow police discretion when applying the law, which came into force on Friday.<br /><br />He said they seemed to have been drafted without consulting frontline supervisors.<br /><br />"Police work on complaints. Police will not be out patrolling children's playgrounds looking for people smacking their children. It will be when it is brought to police attention that something will be done."<br />Mr O'Connor said that once a complaint was made, the standard would be the same as for reporting family violence - zero tolerance.<br />"And it must be reported. And unfortunately, as a result of these guidelines, there is very little discretion. We think the guidelines could have been a little more broad."<br /><br />The guidelines released by police say people can smack children to prevent or minimise harm to a child but not to punish or correct it.<br />Parents who do so and who are involved in repetitive smacking incidents may also have their actions recorded by police even if they are not charged, the guidelines say.<br />Police can use their discretion not to charge if actions are deemed "inconsequential" - but exactly what that means is undefined.<br />Mr O'Connor said "We believe that they are unnecessarily conservative and restrictive. Any action that is corrective is clearly an offence. We believe there should have been discretion there as to whether that was inconsequential, but it's quite clear in the guidelines that smacking them after they've crossed the road by way of correction or punishment is going to require intervention and prosecution."Paul Cattonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11453126927471968373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971307862715360002.post-13042763756884275652007-06-24T15:43:00.000+12:002007-06-24T15:52:09.290+12:00Do As I Say, Not As I Do - 250 Police SpeedstersPolice officers were caught 685 times by speed cameras last year but 435 tickets were waived because they were on their way to emergencies, leaving 250 for accountability.<br /><br />National Party's police spokesman, Chester Borrows, said officers were expected to abide by the law in the same way as the public, and their Speed Kills campaign should be backed by their own actions.Paul Cattonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11453126927471968373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971307862715360002.post-48761905854035870172007-06-24T09:39:00.000+12:002007-06-24T09:46:13.951+12:00Further black marks for police recruitsFresh details have emerged of problems with police recruits following a damning internal report raising concerns about dangerously low training standards.<br />Information shows 64 charges have been laid against recruits in the past two years, ranging in seriousness from criminal to unprofessional.<br /><br />It follows the release of a report that Police National Headquarters tried to keep secret - revealing the concerns of senior police college trainer and psychologist Senior Sergeant Iain Saunders.<br />Some recruits took three attempts to pass the entrance test. One had to be taught "how to write letters of the alphabet by drawing within bubble letters in the same style as a 5-year-old".<br /><br />Information released under the Official Information Act reveals police investigated more than 60 allegations of misconduct against recruits at the police college in the past year.<br />Charges include assaults against fellow recruits and police officers, attempted burglary, academic dishonesty, bullying, exhibiting offensive material, fraud and failing to pay a taxi fare.<br />Police refused to reveal any more detail about the infringements because it might identify the recruits.<br /><br />National's Chester Borrows described the report as "amazing".<br />He regarded the allegations against recruits as "worrying".<br />Police Minister Annette King has said it is not her job to screen recruits.<br />"It's just disgusting that she would try to slide out of responsibility for the standards of recruiting if she is the minister," Borrows said.<br /><br />NZ First police spokesman Ron Mark said he had been aware "for years" that there were concerns within the police about lowering standards.<br />"I have heard anecdotal evidence from various officers... They were taking on recruits who didn't meet the standards required. I have heard of communication skills so poor that evidence had to be retaken by other officers. That's crucial."Paul Cattonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11453126927471968373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971307862715360002.post-81835987563098981702007-06-24T09:31:00.000+12:002007-06-24T09:38:49.241+12:00Police recruit standards plummetPublic safety is at risk as the standard of police recruits plummets, a damning secret internal report reveals.<br />Police chiefs have been accused of "turning a blind eye" to the consequences.<br />Many criminals and members of the public would be able to outsmart some officers.<br />The public are probably being placed at risk or offered very poor service.<br /><br />A report reveals that Royal New Zealand Police College trainers are increasingly having to warn managers that "poor performers" have graduated and been posted to their area.<br />Police national headquarters had publicly lauded the number and quality of new recruits - but the information used was "inaccurate, misleading and poorly interpreted", warns the report, which was prepared late last year.<br />Police risked "significant embarrassment" if the actual details were made public.<br />Police national headquarters did not want the public to see these findings.<br /><br />Allowing low-intelligence recruits to graduate as officers had flow-on consequences for police - including decisions they would make in incidents such as high-speed vehicle pursuits, and when to use force, such as a 50,000 volt Taser.<br /><br />Police Minister Annette King said it was not her job to screen recruits.Paul Cattonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11453126927471968373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971307862715360002.post-21250048014231181882007-06-17T10:07:00.000+12:002007-06-17T10:13:50.661+12:00Officers Facing ChargesNew figures show more than a dozen serving officers are facing criminal charges ranging from rape of a minor to wounding with intent.<br /><br />The Office of the Commissioner is playing down the number and seriousness of the charges.<br /><br />Police refused to name those facing criminal charges, but did confirm the 14 sworn officers held the rank of either constable or sergeant, and that they were from the Auckland, Waitemata, Counties Manukau, Bay of Plenty, Tasman and Canterbury police districts.<br />The charges they face include: male assaults female, injuring with intent, common assault, excess breath alcohol, theft, careless driving, making a false statement, assault with a weapon, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, male rapes female, and male rapes female (aged between 12 and 16).<br /><br />Some of the charges carry maximum prison terms of 14 years or more.<br /><br />Police national manager for professional standards Stu Wildon would not say how many of those sworn officers had been stood down, suspended, or were on full or restricted duties.Paul Cattonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11453126927471968373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971307862715360002.post-35392078202147176242007-06-11T18:55:00.000+12:002007-06-11T19:00:45.616+12:0020% of Police from UK have leftNearly one fifth of officers recruited from the United Kingdom who have served in the New Zealand Police have left.<br /><br />The National Party last year expressed concern at the high attrition rate from the 2003 group, and called on Police Minister Annette King to look at what is happening.<br /><br />Clearly, little has been done to arrest the rate of attrition.<br />You have to wonder if the conditions of work are made clear to them before we put the time and resources into training them.Paul Cattonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11453126927471968373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971307862715360002.post-31780798761250244802007-06-11T17:48:00.000+12:002007-06-11T17:58:47.424+12:00Police attitude appals MuliagasFolole Muliaga's children are devastated and their lawyer will lodge a complaint with the Commissioner of Police after an acrimonious meeting between the family and Police.<br /><br />Talks with the police broke down after they refused "point blank" to show family lawyer Olinda Woodroffe copies of earlier statements by the children.<br />The Police gave no reason for their refusal, and the confrontation left Mrs Muliaga's 20-year-old son"too upset to talk".<br /><br />The family were struggling to come to terms with Mrs Muliaga's death, and Saturday's meeting - arranged by Ms Woodroffe and attended by a Samoan interpreter - had left them "astounded" by the police attitude.<br />They are victims here, not suspects. Police should have a bit more sensitivity.<br /><br />Ms Woodroffe last night confirmed that when she asked for copies of the earlier statements, the police said, "There's no need for you to see it".<br />She claims "They came in with an attitude."<br />She said it was not acceptable that the boys had earlier been interviewed without a lawyer or interpreter and without first being read their rights.<br /><br />The Muliagas had initiated the meeting, but it did not proceed as Ms Woodroffe did not agree to the terms.<br />It is not the family's first run-in with police over Mrs Muliaga's death.<br /><br />To conduct six-hour interviews with the Muliaga boys the day after their mother's death was "absolutely improper".Paul Cattonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11453126927471968373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971307862715360002.post-22109849427562917562007-06-11T17:13:00.000+12:002007-06-11T17:19:11.124+12:00Bay of Plenty Police Brutality.Four Whakatane police officers accused of assault have been committed for trial.<br /><br />Sergeants Keith Parsons, 51, and Erle Busby, 46, senior constable Bruce Laing, 45, and constable John Mills, 38, are jointly accused of assaulting a man with pepper spray and batons in the Whakatane police cells in October.<br /><br />Tauranga-based lawyer Rachael Adams entered not guilty pleas on behalf of the four police officers.<br />All were remanded for a callover in the Tauranga District Court on July 26.<br /><br />Busby faces three charges of assault using a police tactical baton and one charge of assault using a police side handle baton.<br />Parsons faces two charges of assault using a tactical baton and one charge of assault using pepper spray.<br />Laing and Mills are each charged with assault using pepper spray.Paul Cattonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11453126927471968373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971307862715360002.post-21797861152349417562007-06-06T10:56:00.000+12:002007-06-06T11:28:01.337+12:00South Auckland Police Racism<strong>Racist remark undermines police efforts with Asians</strong><br />Racist comments by a senior detective do nothing to encourage Asians to come forward to report crime.<br />Senior detective Neil Grimstone commented to a conference on Chinese organised crime that some who could be 'blindfolded with a shoelace' couldn’t be trusted.<br /><br />Counties Manukau police district commander, Superintendent Steve Shortland admitted Grimstone was under investigation.<br />But Shortland said Grimstone's remarks were "totally inappropriate and unacceptable" and defied police orders.<br /><br /><strong>Muliaga family accuse police of racism</strong><br />Police investigating the death of south Auckland woman Folole Muliaga have been accused of institutionalised racism by her family.<br />Family spokesman, Brenden Sheehan, said they were "hugely insensitive" and had shown "institutionalised racism" by not knowing how to deal with other cultures.<br />Mr Sheehan said he received a telephone message from police saying he was expecting one of Mrs Muliaga's sons to be interviewed with a lawyer present and "could he come down to the police station that day.<br />"Obviously I didn't return the call but it's outrageous. These people are victims. What hope has any brown person got if they are a suspect in a case in this country.<br />"If they treat victims like this how do they treat suspects?"<br />Mr Sheehan said he was also "disgusted and appalled" that the police had apparently said publicly that no charges would be laid because Mrs Muliaga was a very sick woman.<br />He said the unnamed police source was quoted in The Press newspaper after police had earlier told him they would not comment publicly but then breached their own undertaking by doing so.<br />He said he was "furious" and did not want to speak yet to police about it but the family now wanted a fresh police team to take over the inquiry.<br />"I think the investigation is so compromised at this stage that it cannot possibly produce a fair and balanced report."<br />The officer in charge of the inquiry, Detective Inspector Jim Gallagher, refused to comment on the claims.Paul Cattonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11453126927471968373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971307862715360002.post-86547414810737403992007-06-01T16:19:00.000+12:002007-06-01T16:41:00.857+12:00Another case not being given due diligence - COA.<strong>COA - Cover Our Asses</strong><br /><br />A woman who alleges she was sexually harassed while she was employed by New Zealand Police has had an application to take the matter straight to the Employment Court denied.<br />The woman, named only Ms C because she has name suppression, alleges she was harassed in various ways, mostly sexual, while she was employed by the police and it led to her being unjustifiably dismissed in June last year.<br />She applied to have her case removed from the Employment Relations Authority list and taken to the Employment Court on the grounds that it was of such a nature and urgency it was in the public interest to do so.<br />Ms C made links to Dame Margaret Bazley's damning report into police conduct and the high-profile trials of police officers.<br />However, Police Commissioner Howard Broad said Dame Margaret's report was not relevant to this case and it could be dealt with much less formally and at a lower cost by the ERA.<br />ERA member Greg Wood denied Ms C's application.<br /><br /><strong>Policewatch</strong> Mrs C, ignore the protestations of the kangaroo bureaucracy, bring your story out publiclyto us, then that they who should be judged, are, and in full view!<br />Win, win, further cleansing of the barrel!Paul Cattonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11453126927471968373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971307862715360002.post-28657844995730722392007-06-01T15:47:00.000+12:002007-06-01T16:53:48.120+12:00Office of the Commisioner - TweakingPolice Commissioner's rule reviewed<br /><br />The roles and responsibilities of the Police Commissioner could be in for a tweaking.<br /><br />"A discussion document" on a proposed revamp of the police legislation suggests the Commissioner's role and powers be clarified. It also recommends clear boundaries be set regarding the relationship between the Commissioner and the Minister of Police.<br /><em></em><br /><strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"></span></strong><br /><strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error">Policewatch:</span> Who is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">discussing</span> this document?</strong><br /><br />Other proposals include amending the Privacy Act for more information sharing, making it compulsory for people to supply ID to police when requested, and strengthening police powers for dealing with groups or crowds.<br /><br /><strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"></span></strong><br /><strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error">Policewatch:</span></strong> <strong>Dealing with groups or crowds</strong><br /><br /><em>Patched Gangs ( mongrel mob > boy scouts including the Police themselves fill this category)</em><br /><em>Teenage parties alledgedly out of Control?</em><br /><em>Fathers Coalition protests outside homes of corrupt Judges and lawyers?</em><br /><em>Anti - war peaceniks outside Te Papa? </em><br /><br />Review spokesman Superintendent Hamish <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">McArdle</span> says the document attempts to write the independence of the police into law. It also suggests giving the Police Commissioner the power to convene formal inquiries into his or her organisation. Currently this is solely restricted to the Minister of Police.<br /><br />Mr <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">McArdle</span> is urging the public to make their opinions on the review known.<br /><br /><strong>Policewatch</strong> Hamish how do we make our opinion known?Paul Cattonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11453126927471968373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971307862715360002.post-50984594226066382042007-05-29T15:29:00.000+12:002007-05-29T15:34:24.920+12:00Heavy Handed Police AgainThis month police were criticised for not breaking up the party that led to the deaths of 16-year-olds Hannah Rossiter and Jane Young in Edgeware Road, Christchurch.<br /><br />Now parents of teenagers at a party in Ladbrooks on Saturday night say police destroyed a "trouble-free" teenage party.<br /><br /><strong><em>It was supervised by 23 adults – one of whom was arrested for assault – because parents wanted to avoid an Edgeware-style situation.<br /></em></strong><br />Parent Lisa Walker said the party for her son's and daughter's 18th and 16th birthdays respectively at Ladbrooks Hall, near Lincoln, was broken up by police in "flak jackets" who "marched in without speaking to anyone, formed a human chain at the back of the hall and herded everyone onto the street".<br />Walker said the police swore at children and adult supervisors, threatened them with pepper spray, and arrested one of the adults when he touched an officer's hat to get his attention.<br />The man spent a night in jail and was charged with assault.<br />Eight parents laid official complaints with police on Sunday.<br />Walker said in the wake of the Edgeware Road tragedy they decided the party would be strictly supervised.<br />Police seemed intent on relying on "heavy-handed" tactics, she said.<br />Five adults patrolled the only gate, children were stamped on entry and not let back out. Parents knew where their children were by invitations and phone calls through the week.<br />The party, which Walker had agreed with police would end at 1am, was shutting down when 14 police with two paddy wagons arrived at 12.40am.<br />"I said to them, 'Please don't cause trouble'. The kids were absolutely terrified."<br />Parent Jacqui Hudson said police behaviour inflamed the situation and endangered kids. "They were putting lives at risk."<br /><br />Policewatch says: 1939 Brownshirts - 2007 BlueshirtsPaul Cattonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11453126927471968373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971307862715360002.post-39638129758203617872007-05-29T15:10:00.000+12:002007-05-29T15:27:54.094+12:00The Appeal Against Insanity or Heavy Handed Police<strong>From the internet.</strong><br /><br />In October last year there was a protest against a Weapons Conference being held at Te Papa, our national museum, and referred to colloquially as “Our Place”. Only it is not the place of the New Zealand people for a few days a year, when Arms Dealers from all over the world congregate on this small area to work on sales of weapons.<br /><br />On the first day of the protest I witnessed numerous assaults by members of New Zealand’s police force against peaceful protestors, all of which would have been recorded on CCTV, yet none of those assaults were investigated. I witnessed Andrzej Kowalczyk (head of the NZPD Strategic Response Group) pull a male by his dreads, I was hit in the face by another Police Officer, I was shoved around alot, I witnessed someone else’s glasses get broken, and a general breakdown of the New Zealand Police Force’s ordinarily strong ethics<br /><br />On the next day, I was with a good friend of mine, manning a banner. We were standing within half a metre of the police lines, and had they wished to do so they would have had ample ability to engage with us in friendly conversation. They did not do this, and we continued to protest, occasionally chanting “Arms Trade, Death Trade,” amongst other slogans.<br />We were then told the protest was over and were moving to depart when my friend was grabbed by a Three Man Extraction Squad with no prior warning of what was occuring.<br />Based on the assaults and affray I had experienced and seen the Police engage in on the previous day I believed that my friend was being assaulted unlawfully by members of the police force, as neither I nor my friend had been given any prior warning or indication as to what was happening.<br />I then reacted instinctively to protect my friend against what I percieved to be unlawful excessive and violent action on the behalf of the NZPD Strategic Response Group, linked arms with him, and was dragged away and charged with one count of Obstructing Justice.<br /><br />The following footage has captured Police in the act.<br /><br />Watch the video for yourself, you be the judge:<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2QAaClsMZg">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2QAaClsMZg</a><br /><br /><strong>Comment on the above also from the Internet</strong><br />Ra Says: <a title="" href="http://baboeska.wordpress.com/2007/05/22/the-appeal-against-insantiy/#comment-13">May 23rd, 2007 at 4:04 pm</a><br />I wonder if we as New Zealanders are willing to stand aside and allow this gang in blue to continue this sort of treatment.<br />I myself fell victim to rogue cop treatment when I saw a teenager in the middle of town getting mistreated.<br />I didnt know the kid but I did see how the ruckus had started and basically he was getting arrested for not moving on when being asked, sorry, when being told. The kid just chose the wrong time and the wrong cop to show defiance.Now the cops probably have the right to enforce this, (I’m no expert in the law but I imagine they’d label it loitering in a public space or unlawful congregation yadda yadda) but the level of force they used was excessive to say the least.<br />Being the only adult in the vacinity I walked over to a female cop standing aside. I asked her if she thought that the police officer with his full weight on one knee in the back of the teenager on the ground was a bit rough and she told me to mind my own business and move on.I took exception and pushed the issue then ended up asking for her badge number. Now I’m no expert in dealing with police but as far as I knew they have a serial type badge number on their shoulders. When I was trying to look for it she called another collegue over and told him they were gonna have trouble with me now. At the same time she squared up making it harder for me to see her serial number.I was under the impression they had to give it out when asked.<br />Cop number two then takes over and tells me if I dont move on I’ll get arrested, when I question what for he replies obstruction of justice and disturbing the peace. I’m 5 meters away from the guy being assaulted on the ground and I’m not interferring with the arresting officers in any way but I am presenting myself as a possible threat and hinderence so the two of them turn on me.<br />Now I’m no chicken but I’m not an idiot either, I didnt know the guy being arrested but I feel for the poor fucker but I back down anyway.There was no way I was getting arrested for this kid mistreatment of not.<br />I know now that I if the same situation came around I’d stand tall and back that kid up because that shit stuck with me for the past 2 years. I feel guilty even today for backing away from that female cop.<br />I know that when recruits go to join the police force the vast majority if them have good intentions and think they can make a difference. But I also know that after hearing stories from (someone that use to be) a very close friend of mine about some of the goings on at Porirua (the police training school) that it changes them to having a gang mentality.So there’s not much hope for changing the way police act unless you could change the way they are trained me thinks.<br />sux<br />- RaPaul Cattonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11453126927471968373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971307862715360002.post-49959161724296816372007-05-29T11:48:00.000+12:002007-05-29T12:00:02.363+12:00Sex And Drugs Claims, Yet No InvestigationAllegations that serving and former police officers were involved in crimes including rape and drug-taking will not be investigated by the Police Complaints Authority.<br /><br />Investigate editor Ian Wishart, who wrote an article exposing an alleged seedy side of the Dunedin Police, renewed his call for a commission of inquiry into the claims, saying police investigating themselves was a "Mickey Mouse situation".<br />No one would make a formal complaint in a system that could not be trusted, he said. "There is a huge conflict of interest ... which was exactly the point of my article."<br /><br />The Investigate magazine claimed that Dunedin police officers were involved in corruption, drug-taking, rape and child-sex rings, it also revealed that a pornographic film involving bestiality with a chicken was screened in 1981 in the Dunedin home of Howard Broad, now the Commissioner of Police.<br />Mr Broad has admitted the film was screened but said he was unaware it had happened until later.<br />Police Complaints Authority head Justice Lowell Goddard, QC, said yesterday that no claims from the magazine required investigation or action by the authority without specific complaints.<br /><br />Policewatch says it past the time that a truly independant Authority be established rather than stakeholders under appointment.Paul Cattonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11453126927471968373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971307862715360002.post-88273384454920791572007-05-29T11:41:00.000+12:002007-05-29T11:48:18.425+12:00Another Police Chase Gone Wrong?A youth is fighting for his life after a police chase and serious car crash in west Auckland last night.<br />Police chased two cars for between 10 and 20 seconds, before one of the vehicles, a Honda Prelude, veered across the centreline and smashed into a footpath, flipping twice.<br />The young driver - the father of a three-month-old baby - is believed to be in a serious condition in hospital with head and lung injuries.<br /><br />The other car stopped at the scene and police said its occupants were helping them with their inquiries. One of those occupants, Brendon King, 19, said the two cars were not racing and had been cruising together at 70km/h.<br />However, he said his friend, who was driving the other car, overtook the other car shortly before the crash.<br />"I got out and ran up to see if (the driver) was OK, and he was still in the car but blood was coming out of his face. Another passenger was lying on the ground, saying his heart hurt."<br />King said the crash wouldn't have happened if police had backed off.<br /><br />Police would not confirm the vehicle speeds before or during the chase, except to say they were "well in excess of the speed limit". Several police vehicles were on the scene within seconds.<br />The Serious Crash Unit is investigating, but the Police Complaints Authority was not involved at this stage, said a spokesman.<br /><br />A Herald on Sunday photographer was arrested at the scene as he attempted to take photographs.Paul Cattonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11453126927471968373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971307862715360002.post-19396254211275665382007-05-29T11:33:00.000+12:002007-05-29T11:37:09.031+12:00Rickards continues on full payAssistant Police Commissioner Clint Rickards continues to around $150,000 a year as Police Management extend his suspension while they continue to work through "<em>employment issues</em>".<br />In March, Rickards was cleared of kidnapping and indecent assault charges involving a 16-year-old.<br />Rickards has been suspended on full pay since 2004.Paul Cattonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11453126927471968373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971307862715360002.post-7550415893867208722007-05-29T11:16:00.000+12:002007-05-29T11:18:30.630+12:00Low Police Morale.<strong>Also From the Republicans.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />There are many factors influencing police morale, but one sure indicator and that is when the attrition rate affects the age balance, says Law and Order spokesman Bevan Berg.<br /><br />With low moral we see young officers leaving after short periods of service rather than seeking promotion, <br />The flow on effect of bad management within the police administration affects, not only the functioning of the Police, but also Law and Order in the broader sense.<br /><br />If we have too many frontline Policemen leaving they are often unavailable to give evidence in court cases. The Police offer no evidence and the Judge has no option but to dismiss the case.<br /><br />After so much recent scrutiny, our frontline staff need to know they have an effective minister, who understands the realities of modern policing. They are not getting that from Annette King said Mr Berg, any more than they did from George Hawkins.<br /><br />Without effective management what we will see is the Police adopting an increasingly defensive position and an increasingly aggressive approach to the public as they become more withdrawn from the community, says Mr Berg.Paul Cattonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11453126927471968373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971307862715360002.post-58171700832144594322007-05-29T11:12:00.000+12:002007-05-29T11:16:18.066+12:00Political Parrot or Police Association.<strong>From the Republicans.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />Republicans Law and Order spokesman Bevan Berg has a strong message for the current President of the NZ Police Association Mr Greg O’Connor.<br /><br />“If the Association continues its persistent meddling in politics it risks becoming another parrot organisation for Government, rather than an advocate for members of the New Zealand Police”, says Mr Berg <br /><br />O’Connor is a Senior Sergeant of Police seconded full time to the Association National Office, and that function is to support serving officers and civilian staff.<br /><br />Not says Mr Berg, “<em>To play Government spokesman by Police Salary</em>”. <br /><br />I understand Mr O’Connor has held this position since 1995. If his interests in politics are so great I suggest he step into that arena and hand the reigns of the Association to someone with a greater interest in the welfare of our Police Staff. <br /><br />One of the most important functions of the association is to provide an independent ear to officers who find themselves in uncertain circumstances, and it cannot properly do that while the Association is continually seen to have an overt political position.<br /><br />Policing has never been more difficult, says Mr Berg, <em>“Police Staff need to know that their Association is there for them, and that it has not become another political puppet.”</em> <br /><br />Too many organisations are being encouraged to say what Government wants to hear rather than provide quality advice, or perform their function, and the Police Association is not alone in indulging this political aberration, noted Mr Berg.Paul Cattonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11453126927471968373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971307862715360002.post-24452838190030385072007-05-24T12:33:00.000+12:002007-05-24T12:46:27.368+12:00Feminised Police Policy in Action?Found on the Internet<br /><br /><em>Just watched Police 10 - 7<br /><br />The scene was of a male clearly the victim of assault accusing his (Female) partner of committing the assault. Police approached her. She admitted it.<br /><br />Now here is the twist. The male was told that if they proceeded to arrest her <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">CYFS</span> would have to be informed and would remove the children forthwith.<br /><br />The man replied that he was their father, why could he not look after the children? He was informed that that was policy.<br /><br />Remember this was on national TV<br /></em><br />The last shot was of the male despondently walking away".<br />(Also posted on various sites)<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Policewatch</span> has attempted to ascertain the truth of content in this matter but has been declined by the Producers of the Program.<br /><br />Re: Obtaining Police Ten 7 footage. <br />Thank you for your email and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">phonecall</span> regarding Police Ten 7.<br />While I appreciate your interest in the item I am not in a position to be able to release this footage to you.<br />Given the sensitive nature of the material featured in the programme <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Screentime</span> Ltd does not release any footage, episode transcripts or otherwise to the public and so I am unable to help you any further with your request. <br />Kind Regards<br />Sarah-Luise <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Hornblow</span><br /><br />Perhaps the Police themselves could explain as in an earlier episode a male assaulted a female who did not want to prosecute yet they invoked prosecution under their own powers.<br /><br />And perhaps, the alleged blackmailing of the male victim and father with the threat of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">CYFS</span> involvement also requires explanation.Paul Cattonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11453126927471968373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5971307862715360002.post-5412772891161969762007-05-22T11:42:00.001+12:002007-05-22T11:56:02.252+12:00Were the Police in Pursuit?Mark McElrea wants to know if a police car was pursuing the vehicle before an accident that killed his son after claims by two passengers and an independent witness.<br /><br />"My understanding is that at the time of the crash there was no police pursuit in progress and in fact there had not been an actual pursuit taking place," said Police spokesman Kevin Loughlin.<br /><br />Backseat passenger Kayla Hewison said "the cop pulled out of a street and started following us".<br />"Then the cops caught up to us, we had stopped at the intersection [of Pine Valley Rd and Kahikatea Flat Rd] then the cops were right up our butts. We went left, boosted it, cops were up our butts again. We felt a bang, we all went forward a bit then I remember sliding and then I remember starting to flip."<br /><br />Ms Hewitson, who was thrown through the back window but escaped with rib injuries and scratches, said she had also given a statement to police in which she alleged the police car was following close to the Subaru "and gave us a bump".<br />She said the car had lights and sirens going at the time.<br />Ms Hewitson said police told her "that's your side of the story".<br /><br />Mr McElrea said a Dairy Flat resident travelling on Kahikatea Flat Rd told him the Subaru overtook him and his partner on a dangerous corner. He was overtaken about 50m further along the road by a police car with lights flashing.<br /><br />Mr McElrea said police started "closing shop" when asked about allegations of a pursuit.<br /><br />Policewatch says is it then normal practice for police to be driving along with lights flashing if not in pursuit or en route to an emergency, suggest a look at the bumper of the Police car.Paul Cattonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11453126927471968373noreply@blogger.com0