Greetings to you all.

 

In the run-up to a general election we must expect politicians to make big statements, with law and order a favourite subject. However, I cannot agree with comments from Dr Pita Sharples that Police has a racial bias in dealings with Mäori, that Mäori have no confidence in Police and that Mäori police officers are resigning "in droves" as a result. He also said there are not many Mäori who have been with Police any length of time and that many of our Mäori colleagues leave Police because they're "sick of hearing the comments about Mäori".

 

I have the utmost respect for Dr Sharples and share his concerns about the over-representation of Maori as victims and offenders in the criminal justice system. I agree there should be a move toward restorative justice and marae-based resolutions where appropriate, as well as keeping people out of prisons. I admire much of his work, for example in establishing Hoani Waititi Marae in West Auckland, where so much good work is done in educational and social terms. However, I will not stand by and let a slur that racism is an intrinsic part of New Zealand Police culture go unchallenged. Such an allegation runs counter to the findings of our annual trust and confidence surveys, staff engagement surveys and what we know to be the truth.

 

We can do better, but we're far better than the attitudes Dr Sharples ascribes to us. In an organisation of 12,000 people there will be individuals who let us down - but racist attitudes among staff members will not be tolerated. We have come a long way in recent times and will continue to have greater cultural awareness, as indicated by our recruit profiles. It is important for me, as Commissioner, to set the record straight in cases of inappropriate commentary and to that end I've given media interviews on this subject this week.

 

On a more positive note, I have congratulated staff and commanders on their splendid stewardship of Rugby World Cup group and quarterfinal games, which were marked by low numbers of arrests and stadium ejections, and generally good-natured behaviour. I was on the streets of Wellington during quarterfinal weekend and Deputy Commissioner Mike Bush and I will be at work in Auckland during the final stages. We have a couple of very busy weekends ahead of us in Auckland. Rugby is an 80-minute game, demanding the players' full attention until the very end, and the same principle applies to our police operation. The tournament might be in its latter stages but we're not taking our eye off the ball - if anything, we're increasing our involvement as we near the final on 23 October. I have every confidence that our staff will achieve our objectives of providing a safe environment for visitors and locals alike to enjoy this great event.

 

Last Thursday I was present for another great event, the graduation of Recruit Wing 269 from the Royal New Zealand Police College at Porirua. I had the fortune to meet a wonderful young woman, Constable Tess Kai Fong, who graduated top of the wing despite, at 18, being its youngest member. She attended Rangitoto College in Auckland, where she was deputy dux and deputy head girl. She had been offered the opportunity to attend a management programme at Harvard University but opted to join New Zealand Police. It bodes well that we can attract such high-achievers and, indeed, Constable Kai Fong was not the only high-achiever within Wing 269. Two further recruit wings, with 80 members each, will graduate before Christmas.

 

While we are welcoming Constable Kai Fong and her fellow graduates into our organisation, tomorrow there will be a large Police presence at the funeral of former Assistant Commissioner Colin Wilson. Colin was an exemplary police officer during his 40-year career - a skilled and dedicated investigator and an inspirational leader to those who worked with him before his retirement in 1999. Constable Kai Fong and her fellow recruits give me great confidence that this tradition of excellence will be maintained.

 

Keep up the good work and remember - it's only 10 weeks until Christmas!