Heartening perspectives from overseas trip
November 10, 2011
Previous BlogsLast time I wrote we were just getting over the Rugby World Cup and celebrating success for both New Zealand and our policing operation. Now we're well and truly back to business as usual - and doesn't the World Cup seem a long time ago? Again, heartfelt congratulations to Superintendent Grant O'Fee and his Rugby World Cup team.
Since taking up my role as Commissioner in April I've had a dozen or so requests to travel overseas to attend various conferences and make various presentations. I've resisted the temptation and made clear that I'll remain in New Zealand to deal with the issues confronting us here. Having said that, I decided it was important to represent New Zealand at the 80th General Assembly of Interpol in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Interpol is a huge inter-governmental organisation - the second largest after the United Nations in terms of member states - which coordinates the work of police agencies worldwide when crime or criminals cross borders.
It was a five-day conference, starting last Monday, with around 600 delegates from more than 120 countries. There were interesting presentations on subjects ranging from civil disorder in the Middle East to piracy off the Somali coast.
Judging by the issues alluded to by representatives of other countries, New Zealand is very well placed in terms of the absolute demarcation between the independent operation of the Police service and the political environment.
Certainly, as I considered the positions of some of my counterparts from the Middle East, Latin America and South East Asia, it was heartening to represent an organisation such as New Zealand Police. It was also heartening to realise the issues we're wrestling with around finance and expectations of service are a common factor of law enforcement worldwide.
Attending the conference was useful and Hanoi is a fascinating place - a city of eight million people, teeming with motorcycles, where you never see the sun because of the smog. But getting there via Sydney and Ho Chi Minh City involved nearly 26 hours' travelling and it will be some time before I embark on such a journey again.
Back in New Zealand, it's great to see the huge popularity of the current 'Legend' drink-driving campaign, run by Police and the New Zealand Transport Agency under the Safer Journeys initiative. It has become a real sensation, with people nationwide talking about "ghost chips" and "internalising complicated situations".
No one in the target group of young male drivers can be unaware of this advertisement, and the deadly serious message it contains despite the comedy.
There's a time and place for a serious approach, and over the years we have seen some memorable and thought-provoking images in these campaigns. But without a doubt, nothing lodges in the mind quite like something which makes us laugh.
This campaign gives young people an effective way to intervene to stop a drink-driver without losing face, and as such can play an important role in improving safety for all road users.
I'd also like to pay tribute to the volunteers who work with Police and their managers in recognition of International Volunteer Managers Day, which was celebrated on November 5. Most of our managers of volunteers are Police employees but in many places volunteers manage or assist in supporting, recruiting and mobilising others.
Volunteers do a tremendous job for Police and I'm pleased to acknowledge and recognise their contribution - and those who make it possible by managing their work.
Looking ahead, this week Australian Police Commissioners from all jurisdictions are in Auckland for meetings of the Australia New Zealand Policing Advisory Agency (ANZPAA). Tomorrow's proceedings also involve relevant Ministers, chaired by New Zealand's Police Minister Judith Collins.
I'm very happy to have my feet back under the desk after my travels - and now we're preparing for all the challenges summer and the silly season can bring as we draw near to the end of a very busy 2011.
