A Practical Reference to Religious Diversity - New Zealand Police

A Practical Reference to Religious Diversity

June 2005 First Edition
PUBO-200


Background

'A Practical Reference to Religious Diversity' covers seven major religious faiths including Maori spirituality, Buddhist Faith, Christian Faith, Hindu Faith, Islamic Faith, Jewish Faith, and the Sikh Faith.

The book provides information to help police gain basic awareness and understanding of religious diversity. It also explains how religious beliefs and customs may impact on their role as police officers when they are carrying out their duties.

Apart from serving as a valuable resource for the police, it is also hoped the book will also contribute towards the development of a cohesive and harmonious society.

The guide outlines Maori Spirituality and six major faiths - Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Islamic, Jewish, and Sikh - and provides information about protocols surrounding death, gender roles and the family, physical contact, and religious practices and policing.

As New Zealand society becomes increasingly diverse in both its religious and ethnic makeup, Police need to be constantly responsive to these changes, says Acting Police Commissioner Steve Long, who will officially launch the book.

"This Practical Reference to Religious Diversity is `user friendly' and yet a comprehensive police guide," he says. "My beliefs and your beliefs and our customs have an impact on the way we carry out our policing duties and we need to be mindful of this.

For example, some religions have certain protocols that must be observed when a person dies, such as burying the body within a certain time or avoiding anything that interferes with the body such as autopsies or the taking of tissue and blood samples."

The guide was developed and published by the Maori Pacific Ethnic Services team with assistance from Public Affairs, Police National Headquarters and in consultation with religious and ethnic communities.

The guide adds to the ethnic resources already developed and these include the Multilingual Phrase Book; Bill of Rights Advice and Judges Rules Caution translation; ethnic website with seven language options; and, the Māori Pacific Ethnic Responsiveness Strategies. It demonstrates in the clearest way the continuing commitment by Police to provide a good service to people in our community. <!--

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Summary of findings

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Table of contents

Foreword

Maori Spirituality
An overview
Death and related issues
Gender roles and family
Physical contact and other sensitivities
Religious practices and policing

Buddhist Faith
An overview
Death and related issues
Gender roles and family
Physical contact and other sensitivities
Religious practices and policing

Christian Faith
An overview
Death and related issues
Physical contact and other sensitivities
Religious practices and policing
Resources for police

Hindu Faith
An overview
Death and related issues
Gender roles and family
Physical contact and other sensitivities
Religious practices and policing

Islamic Faith
An overview
Death and related issues
Gender roles and family
Physical contact and other sensitivities
Religious practices and policing

Jewish Faith
An overview
Death and related issues
Gender roles and family
Physical contact and other sensitivities
Religious practices and policing

Sikh Faith
An overview
Death and related issues
Gender roles and family
Physical contact and other sensitivities
Religious practices and policing

Appendix 1: Human Rights legislation and religious freedom
Appendix 2: Treaty of Waitangi and religious freedom
Appendix 3: Religious affiliations in New Zealand
Appendix 4: Artworks at the Royal New Zealand Police College

Acknowledgements

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