Commissioner Mike Bush has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sir Ronnie Flanagan, the head of the ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit, as part of Police’s on-going preparations for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 and the introduction of the Crimes (Match-fixing) Amendment Bill.
Sir Ronnie Flanagan flew to New Zealand specifically to sign the MoU which was formally ratified at a ceremony in Wellington on 28 November.
Commissioner Bush said the MoU will increase the ability of each body to share information and expertise to help protect the integrity of sport in New Zealand.
“Police are working with our partners to help deliver a safe and enjoyable ICC Cricket World Cup,” Commissioner Bush said.
“We have identified match-fixing as a potential risk to the integrity of the tournament and have been working hard to mitigate this risk.”
Supt. Sandra Manderson, National Operation Commander for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 and the FIFA U20 World Cup 2015, says the MoU formalises a partnership Police have developed with the Dubai based organisation over the last eighteen months.
“Senior investigators from the ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit have visited New Zealand on a number of occasions in recent months,” Supt. Manderson said.
“In September they briefed staff from around the country on the current state of corruption and match-fixing within cricket”
“In October we also hosted Julie Norris from Interpol’s Integrity Unit who works with FIFA to prevent corruption in football.”
The Crimes (Match-fixing) Amendment Bill will come into effect on 15 December. The Bill will help to address match-fixing risks presented by New Zealand’s hosting of the ICC Cricket World Cup and the FIFA U20 World Cup in 2015.
Supt. Manderson said the new legislation which was passed on Thursday has opened a new frontier for policing in New Zealand and how we preserve the strong reputation of New Zealand sport.
“Police will now have greater powers to investigate corruption in sport in the same way that we investigate other criminal activity,” Supt. Manderson said.
“The ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit and Interpol have both described the Crimes (Match-fixing) Amendment Bill as world leading legislation and believe it will give Police a crucial tool to protect the integrity of New Zealand sport.”
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For more information contact Kevin Sinnott on 021 192 2917