Community policing takes time and long-term commitment, and once engaged there is a reasonable expectation from the community of police action on the concerns raised. This is an area where we assess we have lost ground in some metropolitan areas over the past decade, as we have focused on targeted crime reduction.
People call for police when they have a problem and they need our help. Each day we receive nearly 1,500 calls made on the 111 system and over 2,500 non-emergency calls. Providing a professional officer with the appropriate people skills, training and tools to each event is our most important daily task. The timeliness and quality of police response is an area where a challenge has been laid for us.
Police are the cornerstone of Government's community safety relationship. Police interact with the public more widely, more frequently, and often more personally than any other justice agency or law enforcement body. The reality is that, police will only be as successful in reducing crime and providing community reassurance as the staff and tools available for problem-solving, investigating and bringing offenders to justice. The complex policing environment that we face requires a body of sworn officers and civilians who have the necessary skills and attributes to meet the challenge.
The Commission of Inquiry into Police Conduct (COI) was established in February 2004 to carry out a full, independent investigation into the way in which New Zealand Police had dealt with allegations of sexual assault against members of the police and associates of the police. The COI Report was released on 3 April 2007 and made 60 recommendations for change.
This quarter sees the completion of a further two of the original 48 NZ Police recommendations.
"New Zealand Police should implement a best practice state sector disciplinary system based on a code of conduct in keeping with the principles of fairness and natural justice as part of the employment relationship."
The Policing Act 2008 came into force on 1 October 2008. The introduction of the new Act reinforces several recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry. The Act for the first time sets a positive framework for policing practice, including guiding principles, a solemn undertaking and placing the Code of Conduct on a statutory footing. Secondly, the Act makes some needed changes to the law that guides New Zealand Police so all Police employees join the mainstream of employment practice.
This quarter sees the completion of the rollout of the Code of Conduct within NZ Police, with outstanding items such as additional training and awareness sessions to be delivered.
A comprehensive guide for supervisors has been produced and distributed throughout NZ Police. This provides clarity to all involved in the disciplinary process and includes detailed end to end stepped guidance.
This quarter has seen the introduction of the new NZ Police Code of Conduct, with the revised Police Regulations effective 1 February 2008, covering all staff both sworn and non-sworn. The Code of Conduct sets clear standards and behaviours expected of all police employees, with breaches of these standards being dealt with under a new disciplinary system. The Code of Conduct is currently being rolled out within the organisation using the methodology below in paragraph 8, with the process expected to be completed by the end of June 2008.
