Greetings to you all.

 

New Zealand has earned the enviable title of least corrupt country from Transparency International. I'm convinced Police is central to this. Without a transparent, professional and corruption-free Police service, society's ills would be considerably worse. Full credit to all in our organisation and elsewhere who contribute in this regard. From experience overseas I know governments are not always so well served by their law enforcement agencies.

 

Some months ago in North & South magazine former Inspector Ross Meurant expressed his views of Police during his career in the 1960s and 1970s. I received hundreds of emails from serving and former officers expressing disquiet at his ill-conceived position, expressed 26 years after he left. This week I gave North & South a two-hour interview, outlining my view of Police in the 21st century. They indicate it will form a significant article in a future edition and I look forward to seeing how they treat my comments. I like to front-foot issues in the media, particularly when there is ill-informed or one-eyed commentary on Police matters. On this point, the Dominion Post this week ran an article explaining why we prosecute in some sensitive cases. It can be found online here for anyone who missed it.

 

Last Friday saw the return of 23 Police colleagues from the Solomon Islands. They went at short notice to be on standby in case of civil disorder amid political unrest in Honiara. I've received glowing reports of their professionalism and good humour. It's no small feat to uproot from friends and family at short notice and travel with the expectation of possible violence. There was no violence - and we'll never know whether our contingent's presence influenced this. I've written to each of them, thanking them on behalf of New Zealand Police.

 

Another great example of Police culture came last week from recruits training at the Royal New Zealand Police College in Porirua. When disaster strikes police are the people running toward the danger - and this was exactly what happened. These recruits were on a cross-country run when they came across a house fire, grabbed hoses and contained it until firefighters arrived. The householder was full of praise, and so am I. It was a great start to their careers and I look forward to meeting them when they graduate next week.

 

There was a different type of emergency last week which underlined the value of the Taser to Police and the community at large. A man who's understood to have psychiatric issues and alleged drug problems was reported to be attacking moving cars with a knife and causing distress to members of the public. Police officers showed considerable professionalism in holding him at bay while a Taser was deployed. What followed was an efficient, humane and timely arrest which left the man unharmed and no threat to himself or others. It isn't hard to imagine a far grimmer outcome if the Taser hadn't been an option.

 

There is sometimes adverse comment about the use of Tasers in situations involving people with psychiatric problems. However, police can only respond to the situation facing them - whatever the reason for a person's behaviour, our prime duty is to end any danger arising from it. The Taser allows us to do that at the least risk to the offender, the public and the arresting officers. It's a sad fact that when someone is behaving irrationally and dangerously, arrest and the judicial processes which follow might be their best hope of getting help. It should be noted Tasers are only used in very serious situations - there are strict guidelines and incidents are always reviewed to ensure the use was appropriate.

 

Finally, I'd like to offer some public congratulations: firstly to Detective Inspector Mark Benefield and his team in Auckland on the guilty plea in the Carmen Thomas murder case - a great result which spared Carmen's family the anguish of a trial; and to our National Road Policing Manager Superintendent Paula Rose, named by the New Zealand Herald as a contender for the title of New Zealander of the Year.

 

Best wishes, and stay safe.