This 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.
Now parents of teenagers at a party in Ladbrooks on Saturday night say police destroyed a "trouble-free" teenage party.
It was supervised by 23 adults – one of whom was arrested for assault – because parents wanted to avoid an Edgeware-style situation.
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".
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.
The man spent a night in jail and was charged with assault.
Eight parents laid official complaints with police on Sunday.
Walker said in the wake of the Edgeware Road tragedy they decided the party would be strictly supervised.
Police seemed intent on relying on "heavy-handed" tactics, she said.
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.
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.
"I said to them, 'Please don't cause trouble'. The kids were absolutely terrified."
Parent Jacqui Hudson said police behaviour inflamed the situation and endangered kids. "They were putting lives at risk."
Policewatch says: 1939 Brownshirts - 2007 Blueshirts
Tuesday, 29 May 2007
The Appeal Against Insanity or Heavy Handed Police
From the internet.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
The following footage has captured Police in the act.
Watch the video for yourself, you be the judge:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2QAaClsMZg
Comment on the above also from the Internet
Ra Says: May 23rd, 2007 at 4:04 pm
I wonder if we as New Zealanders are willing to stand aside and allow this gang in blue to continue this sort of treatment.
I myself fell victim to rogue cop treatment when I saw a teenager in the middle of town getting mistreated.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
sux
- Ra
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
The following footage has captured Police in the act.
Watch the video for yourself, you be the judge:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2QAaClsMZg
Comment on the above also from the Internet
Ra Says: May 23rd, 2007 at 4:04 pm
I wonder if we as New Zealanders are willing to stand aside and allow this gang in blue to continue this sort of treatment.
I myself fell victim to rogue cop treatment when I saw a teenager in the middle of town getting mistreated.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
sux
- Ra
Sex And Drugs Claims, Yet No Investigation
Allegations that serving and former police officers were involved in crimes including rape and drug-taking will not be investigated by the Police Complaints Authority.
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".
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."
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.
Mr Broad has admitted the film was screened but said he was unaware it had happened until later.
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.
Policewatch says it past the time that a truly independant Authority be established rather than stakeholders under appointment.
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".
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."
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.
Mr Broad has admitted the film was screened but said he was unaware it had happened until later.
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.
Policewatch says it past the time that a truly independant Authority be established rather than stakeholders under appointment.
Another Police Chase Gone Wrong?
A youth is fighting for his life after a police chase and serious car crash in west Auckland last night.
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.
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.
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.
However, he said his friend, who was driving the other car, overtook the other car shortly before the crash.
"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."
King said the crash wouldn't have happened if police had backed off.
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.
The Serious Crash Unit is investigating, but the Police Complaints Authority was not involved at this stage, said a spokesman.
A Herald on Sunday photographer was arrested at the scene as he attempted to take photographs.
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.
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.
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.
However, he said his friend, who was driving the other car, overtook the other car shortly before the crash.
"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."
King said the crash wouldn't have happened if police had backed off.
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.
The Serious Crash Unit is investigating, but the Police Complaints Authority was not involved at this stage, said a spokesman.
A Herald on Sunday photographer was arrested at the scene as he attempted to take photographs.
Rickards continues on full pay
Assistant Police Commissioner Clint Rickards continues to around $150,000 a year as Police Management extend his suspension while they continue to work through "employment issues".
In March, Rickards was cleared of kidnapping and indecent assault charges involving a 16-year-old.
Rickards has been suspended on full pay since 2004.
In March, Rickards was cleared of kidnapping and indecent assault charges involving a 16-year-old.
Rickards has been suspended on full pay since 2004.
Low Police Morale.
Also From the Republicans.
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.
With low moral we see young officers leaving after short periods of service rather than seeking promotion,
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
With low moral we see young officers leaving after short periods of service rather than seeking promotion,
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.
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.
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.
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.
Political Parrot or Police Association.
From the Republicans.
Republicans Law and Order spokesman Bevan Berg has a strong message for the current President of the NZ Police Association Mr Greg O’Connor.
“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
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.
Not says Mr Berg, “To play Government spokesman by Police Salary”.
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.
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.
Policing has never been more difficult, says Mr Berg, “Police Staff need to know that their Association is there for them, and that it has not become another political puppet.”
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.
Republicans Law and Order spokesman Bevan Berg has a strong message for the current President of the NZ Police Association Mr Greg O’Connor.
“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
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.
Not says Mr Berg, “To play Government spokesman by Police Salary”.
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.
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.
Policing has never been more difficult, says Mr Berg, “Police Staff need to know that their Association is there for them, and that it has not become another political puppet.”
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.
Thursday, 24 May 2007
Feminised Police Policy in Action?
Found on the Internet
Just watched Police 10 - 7
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.
Now here is the twist. The male was told that if they proceeded to arrest her CYFS would have to be informed and would remove the children forthwith.
The man replied that he was their father, why could he not look after the children? He was informed that that was policy.
Remember this was on national TV
The last shot was of the male despondently walking away".
(Also posted on various sites)
Policewatch has attempted to ascertain the truth of content in this matter but has been declined by the Producers of the Program.
Re: Obtaining Police Ten 7 footage.
Thank you for your email and phonecall regarding Police Ten 7.
While I appreciate your interest in the item I am not in a position to be able to release this footage to you.
Given the sensitive nature of the material featured in the programme Screentime 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.
Kind Regards
Sarah-Luise Hornblow
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.
And perhaps, the alleged blackmailing of the male victim and father with the threat of CYFS involvement also requires explanation.
Just watched Police 10 - 7
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.
Now here is the twist. The male was told that if they proceeded to arrest her CYFS would have to be informed and would remove the children forthwith.
The man replied that he was their father, why could he not look after the children? He was informed that that was policy.
Remember this was on national TV
The last shot was of the male despondently walking away".
(Also posted on various sites)
Policewatch has attempted to ascertain the truth of content in this matter but has been declined by the Producers of the Program.
Re: Obtaining Police Ten 7 footage.
Thank you for your email and phonecall regarding Police Ten 7.
While I appreciate your interest in the item I am not in a position to be able to release this footage to you.
Given the sensitive nature of the material featured in the programme Screentime 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.
Kind Regards
Sarah-Luise Hornblow
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.
And perhaps, the alleged blackmailing of the male victim and father with the threat of CYFS involvement also requires explanation.
Tuesday, 22 May 2007
Were 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.
"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.
Backseat passenger Kayla Hewison said "the cop pulled out of a street and started following us".
"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."
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".
She said the car had lights and sirens going at the time.
Ms Hewitson said police told her "that's your side of the story".
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.
Mr McElrea said police started "closing shop" when asked about allegations of a pursuit.
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.
"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.
Backseat passenger Kayla Hewison said "the cop pulled out of a street and started following us".
"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."
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".
She said the car had lights and sirens going at the time.
Ms Hewitson said police told her "that's your side of the story".
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.
Mr McElrea said police started "closing shop" when asked about allegations of a pursuit.
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.
P is for Police
A Counties - Manukau police officer has been stood down from duty after being charged with dealing in the drug methamphetamine.
The 26-year-old made a brief appearance in court last Tuesday and will reappear next week.
Police spokeswoman Angeline Barlow says police will be making no further comment on the matter as it is before the court.
The 26-year-old made a brief appearance in court last Tuesday and will reappear next week.
Police spokeswoman Angeline Barlow says police will be making no further comment on the matter as it is before the court.
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