Risk and resilience on the frontline - Workplace conflict - Police Association
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SEPTEMBER 2018
Risk and
resilience on
the frontline
Workplace conflict Digital policing Career roadblocks
Don’t use the ‘B’ word Recruitment drive for new centre EOIs undercut job market
Contents
10 15
Resolving
workplace Calling old
conflicts army buddies
6 Recovering from being
hit by a fleeing driver 5 Want to be in this picture?
4 Appointments process: EOIs undercut merit in 15 Calling old army buddies: Bringing former Regulars
Police job market military personnel together
18 Keen on Books
4 Brave choices: The Police Association’s Bravery 16 The Tech Files: A fingerprint device confirms
20 Brain Teaser
Award Panel convenes identity in 60 seconds
20 Keen on Beer
5 Job hunt: Police are recruiting for its new 17 Between the Lines: Membership hacks 21 Keen on Wine
communications and digital centre from the Member Services Centre
25 Letters
6 Cover story: Some members pay a high price for 17 Ask Your Aunty 27 Memorial Wall
serving the public 27 Contacts
19 Most Wanted: Book Giveaway; Fearless 261
9 Iam Keen running group
COVER: Constable Hannah
10 Workplace conflict: Responding to allegations of 22 Sport: Sports Diary; Inter-services Hockey
Templeman is assisted by
damaging behaviour Tournament
colleagues after being king
13 Sick Leave Bank: How it works 24 Postcards from… Ohope hit during an arrest. She
was knocked unconscious
14 Commemorations: Police Remembrance Day 2018; and suffered a concussion
the search for those involved with the Erebus disaster and bruising. Photo: STUFF
September 2018 Police News is the magazine of the Printed by City Print Communications, Wellington.
New Zealand Police Association, originally
ISSN 1175-9445 This publication is printed on environmentally
the New Zealand Police Journal, first
responsible paper stock, sourced from
published in 1937.
Published by the sustainable forests, and uses vegetable-based
New Zealand Police Opinions expressed are not necessarily inks. The blue wrap envelope is biodegradable
Association those of the Association. and recyclable.
Those wishing not to receive a personal © NZPA Police News must not be reproduced
P.O. Box 12344, copy of Police News should contact the in part or as a whole without the formal consent
57 Willis St editor (editor@policeassn.org.nz) to be of the copyright holder – the New Zealand
Wellington 6144 removed from the distribution list. Police Association.
2 | SEPTEMBER 2018
NEWS AND VIEWS
from the
President
19 S
o, now we finally know where
the 1800 extra police are to Many members have raised concerns
be allocated. It will be equally with me over the officer attrition rate.
Book Giveaway pleasing to find out the allocation The most up-to-date figures we have
details for the 485 promised Police show 217 police officers left Police
employees. in the first six months of 2018. While
We all have an opinion on the this is not appreciably higher than for
fairness or otherwise of the allocation the same period in 2017, it is as much
strategy so far, but I believe that once as 24 per cent higher than three
the extra police are actually out there years ago. We simply cannot afford
doing their jobs, these numbers will to lose these experienced people
definitely make a difference in all when they are vital to achieving the
districts. 1800 extra officers. We need them to
Northland and Eastern have long stick around to mentor and support
22
been acknowledged as the most graduates to become the best they
under-resourced when it comes can be.
Sport to being able to meet the ever-
increasing demands for service, so
their 25 per cent and 27 per cent coordinated appropriately across district,
increases respectively in officers, is national and international priorities,
good news for them. However, as they have the potential to be real game
you all know, those regions are not changers.
alone and the distribution pattern However, I am more than a little alarmed
for all districts must be applauded as by the sudden movement of the goalposts
recognition of a genuine nationwide for funding of the extra officers and Police
cry for help. employees. The unexpected reference to
For years we have been calling for funding over five years instead of three
urgent allocations to the frontline does not send the right signal about
24
and we must now remain vigilant to the Government being able to fulfil this
Postcards from... ensure district commanders respect commitment in its first term. Like any
Ohope this as their priority. Only when the other government, the incumbent cannot
full designated 25 per cent of officers guarantee anything beyond the next
(455 of the 1800) are in frontline election.
emergency response roles will it be The Police Association always accepted
time to resource “precision targeting that the three-year goal was, in the
teams” and other new teams working minister’s words, “aspirational” because of
in more specialist areas. the challenge of recruiting extra staff at the
The value of these new positions same time as recruiting to cover churn.
is not in dispute, but neither is the In reality, 1800 extra police has always
Phone: (04) 496 6800 serious stress on the frontline, and meant having to recruit at least 3000 and,
addressing that must come first. depending on attrition, that could rise.
Fax: (04) 471 1309
A few eyebrows have been raised If that’s not difficult enough, Police also
Editor: Ellen Brook
at the 500-strong cohort of has the challenge of retaining the quality,
Email: editor@policeassn.org.nz national-level investigators and experienced staff we already have.
Website: www.policeassn.org.nz specialists to focus on organised
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ crime, national security, financial
nzpoliceassociation crime and cybercrime. I can see
Twitter: @nzpoliceassn why some would question such a
large commitment to these areas. Chris Cahill
However, if they are deployed and president@policeassn.org.nz
SEPTEMBER 2018 | 3
The Buzz
EOIs undercut merit
82%
The number of New
in Police job market
M
ounting frustration and a lack of
confidence among Police staff
over the process for filling job
Not only does this affect members’ career
development opportunities, it has eroded
confidence in the process.
Zealanders who think Police vacancies has led the Police Association to In the 2012 NZ Police Workplace Survey,
pursuits should not be banned, lodge proceedings with the Employment 47.8 per cent of respondents said they
according to a 1 News Colmar Relations Authority (ERA). believed Police appointments were
Brunton poll in August. Of particular concern has been the based on merit. In the 2017 survey, only
widespread, and growing, use of “expressions 30.3 per cent of respondents said they
of interest” (EOIs) to fill positions instead of believed appointments were made
making appointments based on merit, which on merit.
#BackTheBlue is a statutory requirement under both the
Policing Act and the State Sector Act.
The association has formally raised these
concerns with Police, along with ongoing
The New South Wales Police The association believes that using EOIs is an issues over rotation, which also affect merit
Association’s secretary, Pat attempt to bypass contractual entitlements, appointments and allowances.
such as transport assistance and home station As there has been no satisfactory response
Gooley, tweets support for
allowances (because roles filled through EOI from Police, the association has gone to the
the planned increase in New
are not on a permanent basis), and there is no ERA, which is expected to review the matter in
Zealand police numbers,
ability to review EOI appointments. November.
saying: “It’s important for
politicians to hear the calls of
the cops’ representatives.”
BRADFORD
IS AN EGG!
Mus Nuku responds to a Radio
New Zealand story about how
the Bradford system for rating
sick days negatively affects
Police comms centre staff.
“If I ever meet him I’ll clip
his ears!” he added.
– Facebook
60
SECONDS
How long it takes the London
Metropolitan Police to confirm
a suspect’s identify using a Brave choices: The Police Association’s Bravery Award Panel met in Wellington last month to consider
nominations from members for acts of bravery among their colleagues in Police in the past year. The
new fingerprint device
panel this year is made up of, from left, former Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand, Police Association
(see The Tech Files, p16). vice-president Craig Tickelpenny, former Labour cabinet minister Dame Annette King, Wellington District
Commander Superintendent Sam Hoyle and Police Association president Chris Cahill. The Bravery Awards
are presented at the association’s annual conference in October.
4 | SEPTEMBER 2018
NEWS AND VIEWS
Recruiting begins
for new policing hub
P
olice is on a recruiting drive to fill telephony and online non-emergency “We know that what the public wants is
positions at its soon-to-be-opened communications. reliability and predictability. People will still
non-emergency communications Seven of the 12 Police districts already be able to talk to a person one on one, if
and digital centre on the Kapiti Coast. have a centralised telephony service, with that’s what they want. We will have people
The Police Digital and Communication others due to switch soon. available for that, but other staff will be able
Centre, based in Ihakara St, Paraparaumu, The projects are part of the Policing 21 to communicate with multiple people at
in a newly refurbished building, will be programme, which has a target of gaining one time through other channels – chat,
open for business from November 1. 90 per cent trust and confidence in Police email and social media, for example.”
Business lead on the project, Inspector and its communications services. It’s also about Police catching up with
Paul Jermy, is asking staff the rest of government and
to promote employment the private sector that are
opportunities at the new already using digital and online
centre to their families, environments to help people
friends and colleagues. seeking information, he says.
There have already been “The aim is to provide a better
more than 700 expressions service to the public, one that is
of interest, he said, and highly predictable, with multiple
planning is under way to channels of communication:
have the first 48 recruited digital, telephony and online
and trained before connections through email.”
Christmas. The Kapiti centre will be a
A further 120 positions are 24-hour operation with mainly
expected to be filled by the new staff, many of whom will
end of next year. be part of the Government’s
Assistant Commissioner promised 485 extra support
Jevon McSkimming says staff for Police.
it’s going to be a modern, Project team: from left, business lead Inspector Paul Jermy, officer manager Rose-Anna There will be a rostering-
open-plan, world-class fit Carroll and Assistant Commissioner Jevon McSkimming. to-demand system, yet to be
out, “a place where people finalised, at the centre.
are not just able to work, but where they Next year, Police will launch a public The location is expected to be a drawcard
want to work”. awareness campaign on a single, non- for prospective staff and there are 73 car
There’s capacity for 180 seats, and other emergency number (SNEN) which aims parks on site with additional off-site parking
work groups, yet to be decided, will be to help people get in touch with Police nearby.
based there too. “anywhere, any time”. “We know that if we want to have flexible
The centre will be closely linked to Jevon says there will be other new service working options, having a workplace that is
Police’s other Crime Reporting Line (CRL) options in the new year, such as online close to home is really good,” Jevon says.
facility, based in Auckland, where about reporting. “It’s not about stopping the
150 staff field CRL calls, and will be part of use of the telephone, but about adding To apply for a role at the new centre, visit
a national centralised network of digital, capability and choice,” he says. the Police website, police.govt.nz.
An artist’s impression of the interior
of the newly refurbished building.
SEPTEMBER 2018 | 5
COVE R S TO RY
Constable Hannah
Templeman is helped by
her Counties Manukau
colleagues after a king hit
to the head. Photo: STUFF
Risk and resilience
Some of our members pay a high price for serving the public.
Vicious and unprovoked attacks on police officers can have
life-changing consequences. Ellen Brook reports.
A
kick to the face resulting in a to his eye has meant he has had to employ colleague leapt in to hold him clear of the
smashed eye socket, lacerations someone to help. water at the bottom of the drain while
and a broken tooth was a terrible Looking back on the assault, he reflects emergency services sorted out how to get
way for Senior Constable Paul Symonds, that it was probably preventable if he had him out. The rescue took 40 minutes.
61, to end his policing career. been carrying a Taser. Normally, he would Scott suffered a brain bleed, concussion,
The long-serving officer, who received have been, but on that day neither of the a wrist fracture, a dislocated shoulder and
the New Zealand Bravery Star for his actions two Tasers allocated to the courthouse broke multiple bones in both legs.
during the Napier siege, was attacked were available – one was out and the other He was lucky to be alive. He spent two
on December 20 last year in a cell at the was not working. months in hospital and another 2½ months
Hastings courthouse. The man who did the It was an unnerving way to end his 30- recovering at home. He has metal rods in
damage was last month sentenced to 3½ year career, and is one of several recent both lower legs and one in his right thigh.
years in prison. cases that highlight the risks faced by our He has only recently returned to work on
His actions caused a permanent injury members as they serve their communities. light duties at Whakatane Police Station.
requiring regular visits to a surgeon. Paul On top of the usual scuffles, punches, Light duties usually involve front counter
has had a titanium plate inserted to repair scratches, grazes and the indignity of being work, taking calls and dealing with inquiries
the eye socket and has double vision in his spat at, Police staff are sometimes only a and paperwork. Pay rates are unaffected,
left eye, which will never fully recover. He hair’s breadth away from career-ending but constabulary staff on light duties do not
also suffered a concussion and has ongoing injuries. wear uniform and, if they are recovering
memory loss. The same month that Paul was attacked, from injury or illness, they may work
Adding insult to injury, the day before the Senior Constable Scott Woodsford, 57, was reduced hours until they are able to pass
assault, Paul had handed in his notice. He hit by a fleeing driver as the road policing the PCT and return to full duties.
had expected his last day on the job to be officer attempted to lay road spikes at Te Mentally, Scott says, he’s feeling good,
January 11, but he was unable to return to Teko in Bay of Plenty. especially about the fact that he’s learnt to
work. The car was travelling at about 100 walk again. He’s gone from a wheelchair, to
To be left with a lasting injury is a high kilometres an hour when it hit him. Scott a walking frame to crutches and now to a
price to pay for carrying out your job, and went over the bonnet and windscreen and single stick and he walks a kilometre to the
the cost hasn’t stopped there. Paul has landed at the bottom of a two-metre deep station and back home each day, making
been building a new home, planning to do drain next to the road. He was knocked strategic pit stops for coffee.
most of the work himself, but the damage unconscious. Fortunately, a quick-thinking How long it will be until he can return to
6 | SEPTEMBER 2018
Senior Constable Scott Woodsford is on light duties at
Whakatane Police Station. He is still walking with a stick 10
months after being hit by a fleeing vehicle as he was laying
road spikes. Photo: SENIOR CONSTABLE JOHN CHARLES
Police know their job carries elements
of risk; it’s one of the factors that
separates policing from most other
public sector jobs.
Not what he Last month, his attacker was sentenced
had planned: A
to more than five years in prison.
permanent injury
to his eye, suffered Another Bay of Plenty police officer,
as the result of an
assault on duty,
means former
Constable Ardon Hayward, 31, is on light
duties at Rotorua Police Station for the
foreseeable future after being smacked in
C onstable Hannah Templeman,
26, knows what it’s like to take an
unexpected blow to the head.
senior constable
Paul Symonds, the back of the head with the blunt end of In November last year, she was part of a
pictured, has a tomahawk on July 17 last year. Counties Manukau team policing unit trying
had to employ
He was completely unaware that the to contain rowdy drunken behaviour in
someone to help
complete work on attack was about to happen. He suffered Ōtāhuhu after Tonga’s Rugby League World
his new home. a serious concussion and brain injury Cup win.
and part of his skull was replaced with a As a man was being led to a patrol car,
titanium plate. Hannah and her colleagues formed a
The wound to his head has healed well, line around the arresting officer to deter
but he needs ongoing tests to monitor his partying fans who were taking exception to
brain function and memory and sees his the arrest.
doctors every six weeks. The threat came from behind, and Hannah
frontline duties is uncertain at this stage. was king hit on the side of her head, causing
“The surgeons have told me that I will never her to crash to the concrete below.
be 100 per cent again, but say it’s likely I will “I didn’t see it coming and I don’t remember
be back up to fitness for work eventually, it too well, but apparently I was unconscious
although it could take six to 12 months.” for about 10 seconds,” she says.
He’s well aware that his life as a cop could Her teammates immediately abandoned
be over, but he remains optimistic and he the arrest and went to her aid, covering her
doesn’t hold grudges, especially about to protect her from the crowd and carrying
things he can’t change. After 20 years of her to a police van to take her to hospital.
policing, he says, he knows what to expect “We’re a tight unit and they were really
at work – that there is always a risk to worried about me,” Hannah says. “They
Constable Ardon Hayward’s head, post-surgery, after
the job. being attacked with the blunt end of a tomahawk. were gutted that it had happened.”
He’s laid road spikes plenty of times, Her attacker had melted away into the
and knows it can be dangerous. This year Ardon, who joined Police in 2014 and night and was unable to be identified.
marks a decade since Sergeant Derek worked with the public safety team, says Hannah knows she was lucky to have
Wootton was killed by a fleeing driver in he’s “moved on” from the incident, which sustained only a mild concussion and
Porirua when he was laying road spikes in a occurred during an arrest at a family harm despite some headaches and bruising to
suburban street. callout, but it took a while and hasn’t been her face and arm, she was back at work
“The funny thing is,” Scott says, easy. Now, he says, he just wants to “get a week later. “I was very lucky because of
“sometimes it’s the simplest things that back to normal, back to how I was before it where I was hit. It could have been a lot
can catch you out. I would have thought happened”. worse, even though it was very painful
something like this might happen at night, The man who attacked Ardon was because I had my ear piece in on that side.”
but this happened in broad daylight.” sentenced to seven years in prison. Continued next page
Laying road spikes is a
potentially dangerous job.
Photo: STUFF
SEPTEMBER 2018 | 7
COVE R S TO RY
After the incident, she says, she was a Our police officers are well trained and the human costs that shouldn’t have to be
little worried that her managers might resilient, but they aren’t super human, says paid.”
think that she couldn’t handle herself. “But Police Association president Chris Cahill. And not all injuries suffered in the line
I realised later that it could have happened “They are ordinary citizens whose job is to of duty are visible. Emergency responders
to anyone.” try to protect the rest of us from dangerous around the world are now recognising
After five years with Police, Hannah situations and bad people. They know there the inner struggles that result from
remains devoted to her job and, fully are risks, but the life-changing effects of exposure to trauma, which often don’t
recovered from the assault, she has this being injured are poorly understood.” get as much consideration as broken
year passed the selection requirements to Sometimes, he says, the true costs are bones.
start training as a dog handler. not revealed until years later and the harm Psychological and emotional damage can
As Scott Woodsford says, police know to families is even less appreciated. “The force cops from their careers too.
their job carries elements of risk; it’s one partners who stay awake at night hoping Paul Symonds says most people really
of the factors that separates policing from their loved ones will come home in one have no idea of what’s involved with
most other public sector jobs. Nonetheless, piece; the children who see mum or dad policing, of the risks that staff face as part
they continue to keep faith with their sworn battered and bruised… what is the effect on of their work. “They try to sympathise, but
oath to serve and protect the public. them? Saying it’s just part of the job ignores they don’t really get it,” he says.
B ryony Lewis was only 18 months out of Police College
in 2008 when she was crushed between a police
vehicle and a drunk driver’s car during a T3. The offender had
Reflecting on the incident now, Bryony, 38, who is a
detective with Henderson Police, says that while her body
eventually recovered, what she didn’t realise at the time
reversed into her and pinned her against the patrol car. was that the euphoria of having survived a life-threatening
She recalled hearing a horrific “popping and cracking sound, incident actually masked some significant emotional trauma,
like plastic bubble wrap”. That was her pelvis breaking in nine which only emerged several years later.
places and dislodging from her spine. She spent six weeks in “I was a bit of a dick at the time and I didn’t take the time
hospital. When she made it home, she had to lie on her back to get the psychological help I needed. I was trying to be a
for eight weeks and suffered from tough cop and get back to work as
vertigo and migraines. soon as possible. Police sent me to a
It took nearly 18 months before psychiatrist, but after a few sessions
she was able to return to work and I just thought, ‘nah’, and stopped
complete the PCT. going,” she says.
Bryony did some writing during her Two years ago, Bryony suffered
recovery, going over the incident in a mental breakdown and post-
her mind. She noted, incredulously, traumatic stress was diagnosed,
that it had been only two days before traceable to the night she was
that she was “chasing the boys [her nearly killed at work. “I was having
two small sons] around the house nightmares, I was afraid of driving
pretending to be Spiderman… only in the rain – it had been raining that
two days ago that I was woken by night – I couldn’t face working at
two toy cars being driven over my night, and I was drinking heavily.”
face like a racetrack and opening my A normally bright and bubbly
eyes to two smiley faces just before person, Bryony, realised it was time to
they jumped on the bed, giving me seek help and properly process what
cuddles and kisses. That ended in a had happened to her. Her prosaic
split second… because of the actions advice to others now is: “Take help
of a self-centred drunk...” when it is offered. Don’t be a macho
She expressed gratitude and knob!”
sympathy for her colleague who was Bryony Lewis spent six weeks in hospital in Meanwhile, she also stands by what
2008 after being crushed between two vehicles
sitting in the police car as she was she wrote down all those years ago:
through the actions of a drunk driver.
pinned against it and “made a decision “What the public don’t realise is that
that will affect his life forever. If he moved the police car to every day a police officer is injured. It is the nature of the job
release my body, there was huge risk I would be run over and people don’t hear about it because we, as police, expect
again by the driver, or, if he didn’t, I would have died. As hard to get black eyes and broken noses and we laugh it off with
as it was for him, he reversed our patrol car and I performed a beer. We are just doing our job. This is our commitment to
a magnificent jump to the side and fell like a sack of potatoes the community and I would do this a hundred times over if
face down into the gutter. This is a night, a moment, that has it meant I prevented a drunk driver from killing or injuring an
dominated my thoughts and dreams.” innocent person, child or family.”
8 | SEPTEMBER 2018
NEWS AND VIEWS
This column is written by a frontline police member. It does not
represent the views or policies of the Police Association.
You read it here of our own is still around to tell the tale of but the place where relationships were
I ’ve just come back to work from some getting into a rough spot. Being one-up formed, laughs were had, debriefs were
well-earned leave, during which I did a and doing the job, he was challenged by a conducted and where colleagues were
bit of reading. It was pretty low key – like “dimwit’ who was attempting to drown him both celebrated and mourned is no more.
Stuff, where I noticed the Police executive in a ditch. I hear there was no ceremony, no final
was again brought into question, taking The quick-thinking officer used his “cheers” – just one day, mid-week, it
the shine off Police values, and I picked emergency button and within 10 minutes, closed.
up Where’s Wally? Man, that’s a hard one, the rest of the family arrived to help. The rumour is that the college cafe will
definitely not for the under-fives, although We all agree that we shouldn’t have to be become licensed to accommodate “limited
one-up, but it’s reassuring to know that the alcohol sales”, but I guess we’ll see if that
it got me thinking, where’s the support
technology we have been given is at the ever happens.
from above?
least helping in some capacity. I wonder if this move was the result of a
Reminds me of another book – All Quiet
few whose behaviour tarnishes us all, the
on the Western Front. Nice work, family; I’m glad you’ve got
so-called “drinking culture” of the New
Why are we left speculating and reading our backs.
Zealand Police, or to curb or inhibit the
what the media come up with? I don’t
expect War and Peace, and they’re Another one bites the dust behaviour of our new free-thinking,
I ’m not referring to yet another valued new-age police members?
probably in a bit of a Catch-22, but the
member taking off their epaulettes
troops are feeling like they’re trapped on a
Stay safe out there...
for the last time, but the closure of one
Runaway Train on this one.
of the few remaining “safe haven” social
On the button environments for police – “the glass bar”
B eing a tight family unit is important, at the Police College. Constable Iam Keen
though, right? Even if, sometimes, it is You may not know, unless you have To update Iam Keen
a little dysfunctional. been on a course at the college lately or with information, email
I was stoked to hear in Southland that one heard the sobs of recruits and staff alike, iamkeen@policeassn.org.nz
Members – don’t miss
out on great discounts
Check out our growing range of discounts
for members through the Police Association
Member Discounts Programme.
Simply log in to www.policeassn.org.nz.
Select “Member Discounts” from the Products
& Services menu to view the discounts available.
SEPTEMBER 2018 | 9
In Brief
NZPA election results
Marcia Murray, one of the Police
Association’s two vice-presidents,
Thinking
outside
has been re-elected unopposed to
the position for a three-year term
until October 2021. The results of
uncontested elections in Regions
the work
2, 4 and 6 (for a two-year period)
were: Region 2 director – Emiel
Logan; Region 4 director – Paul
Ormerod; Region 4 deputy director
– Ash Gurney; Region 6 director –
conflict
Mike McRandle; Region 6 deputy
director – Craig Barker. In Region 2,
two candidates were nominated for
the role of deputy director, with an
box
election pending. In Region 5, Sarah
Stirling was elected unopposed to the
deputy director position left vacant by
the retirement of Chris Moore.
Podcast people
Constable How an organisation responds to
Bryan Ward,
of Bryan and allegations of damaging workplace
Bobby fame,
has set up New
behaviour can be the difference between
Zealand’s first a satisfactory resolution to conflict or the
policing podcast,
“Coppuccino”, to end of someone’s career.
share interviews
P
with Police staff
olice Association senior industrial restorative justice can play in responding
and others who are
officer Leeann Peden deals almost to and resolving damaging workplace
part of the communities that police
weekly with inquiries from Police behaviour.
interact with. Bryan says he got the
staff who want advice on what to do when Leeann says that using the term “bullying”
idea from an American friend, a
they believe they are being subjected to creates a barrier to addressing these
former serviceman, who had created
inappropriate and damaging behaviour issues. “It’s a very loaded word, with many
podcasts for friends. “When I heard a
at work. workplaces denying that it occurs or even
few of former Region 1 director Jug
“These inquiries often don’t result in active exists.”
Price’s stories, I thought, wouldn’t
complaints; they just want to know what When they do deal with complaints, she
it be a good idea to do one in New
their options are,” Leeann says. says, “they usually launch straight away into
Zealand revolving around policing?”
The first weekly Coppuccino podcast It’s an important area of employment a formal investigation process that often
went live last month, featuring relations and Police, among other public takes a long time – sometimes a year or
Waitemata district road policing sector and private organisations, has its fair more – and often doesn’t achieve anything
manager Inspector Trevor Beggs, share of complaints, some of which were apart from destroying workgroups and
who previously served with the Garda highlighted in recent letters to the editor in careers. This process is often about blame,
in Ireland. Bryan wants to feature Police News. retribution and punishment.”
personalities and good sorts he’s Last month, Leeann was invited to take She says that research relating to the
encountered during his 22 years in part in a workshop and panel discussion public sector shows that 72 per cent of
Police. Coming up will be a trustee organised by Victoria University’s Centre such complaints are not upheld. She thinks
from the Sophie Elliott Foundation, a for Labour, Employment and Work. The the threshold of beyond reasonable doubt
meteorologist from Niwa and a cop panel included Leeann, employment is too high, that people are not inclined to
turned firefighter. “It’s been a learning lawyer Steph Dyhrberg, restorative justice speak up and those on the fringes, or who
curve for me,” says Bryan, who does practitioner John Everest and Ministry of might be able to support a case, often don’t
all the interviews. “It might end up Business, Innovation and Employment out of fear for their own positions.
being just me and my mum listening principal mediator Judy Dell. In the past couple of years, the Police
to them.” To tune in, visit soundcloud. About 25 people attended the half-day Association has been encouraging Police
com/user-781632228/coppuccino. workshop on the role that mediation and to move towards the restorative justice (RJ)
10 | SEPTEMBER 2018NEWS AND VIEWS
“Using the term
‘bullying’ creates a
barrier to addressing
these issues. It’s a very
loaded word, with
many workplaces
denying that it occurs
or even exists.”
Police Association senior industrial officer Leeann Peden:
“Sometimes, workplace issues are written off as ‘personality clashes’,
which minimises management accountability or the problem.”
Photo: ELLEN BROOK
model to deal with damaging workplace identifying the harm that has been done, However, that can be changed through
behaviour and conflict. the impact of that harm and what needs education, adjusting levels of tolerance
Unfortunately, Leeann says, Police has not to happen to put it right. “It is inclusive and and being vigilant for red flags such as
embraced that approach, with one notable collaborative, as opposed to divisive and absenteeism, recurring complaints and
exception. adversarial. When employers approach high turnover of staff.
In that case, the association represented these things, they generally focus only on There is, of course, a difference between
people on both sides of a dispute where the two individuals involved, but we sought genuine workplace bullying and being
bullying-type behaviour was alleged wider input.” held accountable and being appropriately
and Police agreed to use the RJ model It turned out that the supervisor had managed.
because the manager was open to trying received no training in management and RJ is not appropriate in all cases,
it out. with resolution came changes in behaviour Leeann says; for example, when it’s
An external person, trained in RJ, was – better communication, better processes obvious that the behaviour is at the
brought in by Police. “That person was and ground rules and Police agreed to the extreme end and a person needs to
a facilitator, not an advocate. He met association’s suggestion of an external be removed.
with each person individually to identify mentor for the supervisor. However, she says, she would like to
the key issues, what people wanted to There was also a genuine desire by cement in Police the idea that there
see happen and then worked with them everyone involved to resolve the issues, is a better way of handling workplace
about what was possible. Everyone then Leeann says. “Sometimes, workplace behaviour issues than that used by most
met together, with each person speaking issues are written off as ‘personality organisations, including Police.
about their point of view, with the aim of clashes’, which minimises management “Apart from that one notable exception,
understanding differing perspectives. accountability or the problem.” there has not been one matter I have
“The issues, which involved a lot of When poor behaviour does happen, dealt with that has helped provide good
people, were successfully resolved and Leeann says, it is often a reflection of the outcomes for any of the participants.
the supervisor who was the subject of the established culture in an organisation, The process often makes matters worse,
complaint has remained managing that where real bullying is known about and with people being moved out of their
workgroup and managing it confidently.” tolerated because it’s ingrained from the workgroups or leaving. Everyone ends up
Leeann says the RJ model is about top down. being damaged.” – ELLEN BROOK
SEPTEMBER 2018 | 11Police Home Loan Package News
TO BUY,
OR NOT
TO BUY?
At barbecues, dinner parties and around the watercooler, the cost of housing is a
popular topic. There’s no doubt that housing in New Zealand is expensive.
House prices have more than tripled since the 1990s. though at a more moderate rate than previously. Interest rates
Prices are also high in relation to incomes, and compared remain low, and the Reserve Bank has indicated that the
to international markets. Official Cash Rate may remain at a record low for longer than
previously expected. Population growth and pent-up demand
The impact of rising house prices has hit younger people are other factors that support continued price increases.
particularly hard. The rate of home ownership among 30-49
year olds has declined by 10-12% since 2001. It’s clear that ANZ Property Focus explores the link between home
younger generations are worse off than their parents were ownership and other economic outcomes. In particular,
when it comes to housing. home ownership is associated with greater stability, better
educational outcomes, higher income prospects and more
There are signs, however, that the market is easing. In the favourable living standards in retirement. To view or download
latest ANZ Property Focus, our economists report that, the latest ANZ Property Focus report, visit anz.co.nz and
according to REINZ figures, prices in Auckland fell 1.5% in search “ANZ Property Focus”.
the quarter to June 2018. Houses are also taking longer to
sell in Auckland on average, (although the market remains At ANZ, we’re helping make buying a home a little more
tight in other regions), while sales volumes have declined affordable for Police Welfare Fund members through our
across the country. In this environment, potential first Police Home Loan Package. It offers special discounts on home
homebuyers might be considering whether it’s better to loan interest rates and other great benefits including fee
wait until prices correct further. waivers and discounts.
While no one can predict the future, waiting for prices to fall To find out more, call us on 0800 269 296
may be a risky option. Our economists believe continued price or visit any ANZ branch.
increases – particularly outside Auckland – look likely,
Package details, interest rates and fees are subject to change. Lending criteria, terms, conditions and fees apply. This material is for information purposes only. Its content is intended to be of a general
nature, does not take into account your financial situation or goals, and is not a personalised financial adviser service under the Financial Advisers Act 2008. It is recommended you seek advice from a
financial adviser that takes into account your individual circumstances before you acquire a financial product. If you would like to speak to an ANZ Authorised Financial Adviser, call 0800 269 296.
Special offer
Buying a new home or refinancing can For more information or to
be an expensive process. We aim to apply for the Police Home
make it easier on Police Welfare Fund Loan Package visit
members’ pockets.
Six months’
www.policeassn.org.nz
Draw down a new Police Home Loan
*Police Fire & General Insurance will be
and be eligible for six months’ free home
free home insurance through the Welfare Fund’s
Police Fire & General Insurance*.
subject to the standard underwriting terms
and conditions and is provided through the
Police Welfare Fund, not ANZ. Members
insurance Members eligible for the free cover should
contact our Member Services team on
are eligible for one period of six months’
free Police Fire & General Home Insurance
premium only, per member, regardless of the
term of Police Home Loan taken. Police Fire
0800 500 122. You will need a copy of & General Insurance is underwritten by NZI,
your loan document from ANZ. a division of IAG New Zealand.
12 | SEPTEMBER 2018NEWS AND VIEWS
An appointment with
the Sick Leave Bank In Brief
Gumshoes come
T
he Sick Leave Bank was set up in previous applications to the SLB. A
1981 to provide additional paid sick maximum of 65 days will be granted for unstuck
leave to constabulary members of each application. Many former police officers become
Police who find themselves with insufficient • The employee’s contribution of personal private investigators, but under official
sick leave to cover extended absences due leave in lieu of sick leave. rules they must not call themselves
to ill health. • Personal leave holdings. detectives in case anyone might think
It is funded by a periodic drawdown of • Employment relations issues. they are still part of Police. Recently,
personal leave from eligible employees, • Any other arrangements that may be complaints were made to the Private
creating a “bank” of sick leave. available for the provision of care when Security Personnel Licensing Authority
Eligible members apply to the Sick Leave the application is for care of a member of (part of the Ministry of Justice) in
Bank (SLB) through their human resources the household. relation to 12 private investigators
office and applications are sent to the SLB When considering how much SLB leave to in New Zealand who used the
committee, which meets monthly, for allocate, the committee looks at how much term “private detective” to describe
consideration. leave (annual and otherwise) a member has. themselves, which can warrant a
The committee members are: Police When a significant amount of SLB leave is $20,000 fine under the law. Writing in
manager: wellness and safety (the requested, the committee expects applicants New Zealand Security Magazine, Ron
chairperson); Police manager: employment to also contribute some of their own leave to McQuilter, chairman of the NZ Institute
relations; a constabulary employee (inspector cover the period. However, the committee of Professional Investigators, and a
or above, nominated by Police and agreed does not want members to end up with former British cop, said the trouble
to by the Police Association); Police Welfare no remaining leave, so it always ensures appeared to stem from the Google
Fund representative (representing the Police that there is sufficient leave left for rest and search engine, which lists members as
Association); and a Police Managers Guild recreation. both private investigators and private
representative. Police and the association also expect staff detectives regardless of what they
Factors considered before leave is making applications to contribute some might have called themselves. The
granted are: of their existing leave because the SLB is confusion was not helped by the fact
• The seriousness of the illness or injury. made up of annual leave donated by every that the world’s biggest association of
Generally, more serious illnesses and constabulary member. private investigators is called the World
injuries will warrant greater access to Staff seeking extended sick leave are Association of Detectives. And, under
leave. expected to have engaged with Police the NZ Companies Office’s industry
• The pattern and/or frequency of sick leave welfare and rehab officers and, if applicable, classification system, McQuilter’s own
previously taken by the employee. to include details of a return-to-work plan. company, Paragon Investigations, is
• The likelihood that the employee will The outcomes decided by the committee listed as a “detective agency service”.
return to full health and active duty. A can range from approving the full “The Government calls us detectives,
good likelihood generally indicates greater application, approving a partial application or but under the act, it’s a ‘bogey’
support from the SLB. declining the application. The decisions can word,” he told NZSM. Fortunately, he
• The length of time required for be reviewed if requested by the applicant. said, with such obvious confusion,
rehabilitation. When the SLB is getting low on leave, there the authority took a “common
• The number of applications made to the is a drawdown, notified in advance, from the sense” approach and there were no
SLB by the employee. leave allocations of eligible members. prosecutions.
• The number of days allocated and More information can be found in the Sick
unallocated to the employee from Leave Bank Policy.
83rd New Zealand Annual General Meetings
Police Association Wednesday, October 10
Conference 2018 • Police and Families Credit Union, 11am-noon
• Police Welfare Fund, 1pm-2pm
Wednesday, October 10, to Friday,
October 12, at the James Cook Hotel • NZ Police Association, 2pm-3pm
Grand Chancellor in Wellington. All members are invited to attend.
SEPTEMBER 2018 | 13NEWS AND VIEWS
Remembrance Day 2018
P
olice Remembrance Day, the deaths of two officers slain on duty in
September 29, falls on a Saturday the same year as they carried out routine
this year. An official ceremony will policing operations.
Remembrance Pins
be held at the Police College in Porirua on On July 11, 2008, Sergeant Derek
Leading up to Remembrance Day,
Friday, September 28, and the day will also Wootton, 52 was working night shift in
Association committees around the
be marked at other locations around the Porirua when a report was received of
country will receive boxes of Police
country. an assault and carjacking. Police patrols
Remembrance pins in time for
The service honours New Zealand, pursued the suspect to Titahi Bay where
them to be worn in the week before
Australian and South Pacific police officers Sergeant Wootton was laying road spikes
Remembrance Day.
slain (ie, killed as the result of a criminal act) in an attempt to stop the fleeing driver. He
The pins, which feature a huia bird
on duty. It also remembers Police staff – was struck and killed as the vehicle went
feather embedded with a Police
serving and retired, sworn and non-sworn over the spikes.
chevron, were created by the
– who have died in the past year. Later that year, in the early hours of
Police Association in partnership
Another roll call acknowledges members September 11, Sergeant Don Wilkinson,
with Police as a tangible symbol
of Police from 1886 onwards who died 46, died instantly when he was shot while
to honour the memory of police
as a result of carrying out their duties. carrying out undercover duties in Mangere.
officers slain on duty.
The last name to be added to that list was He was one of two plainclothes officers
Pins should be worn on the week
Canterbury earthquake victim Pamela shot while they attempted to install a
leading up to and on the day of
Brien, who was killed in the CTV building tracking device on a vehicle outside a
Remembrance Day, on the left lapel
collapse in 2011. suspected meth lab. or left hand side, above any medals.
Tributes to the officers and other staff, the Police has announced this year that Donations collected in exchange
calling of the Roll of Honour, a traditional part of the Porirua Police Station will be for the pins go to the Police
salute and the laying of a wreath by the renamed the “Derek Wootton Loft” in his Families Charitable Trust, which
Commissioner of Police at the Police honour. The Derek Wootton Trust, set up helps the families of police officers
College Memorial Wall are integral parts of after his death, raises funds to help young killed on duty.
the service. people through grants and educational
This year is also the 10th anniversary of scholarships.
Search for Erebus workers
P
olice is compiling a database of This year, the Ministry for Culture and “The important thing is that no one is
people involved with the Erebus Heritage (MCH) is leading a project overlooked,” says Rowan. “People should
disaster for a project to create a to create a national memorial to have the option of being kept informed, or
national memorial. commemorate those who died and the be able to opt out if they wish.
Nearly 40 years ago, Air NZ Flight TE901 efforts of the many people who took part “The thing now is to find them – we
crashed into Mt Erebus in Antarctica, killing in Operation Overdue. don’t want anyone to be upset because
all 257 passengers and crew and sparking Police is helping the ministry compile a they’ve missed out. The last contact we had
one of Police’s landmark operations. database of all those who would like to was in 2009 when the Erebus Medal was
Within hours of the crash, on November be kept informed about the project. New presented.”
28, 1979, Operation Overdue swung into Zealand Police Museum director Rowan Separately, the ministry is seeking to
action. Eleven Police staff flew to Antarctica Carroll is coordinating the search for an contact the families of victims.
for body retrieval, and 157 others worked in estimated 350 people. They include police,
disaster victim identification, family liaison mountaineers, surveyors, rescue teams, • If you were involved in Operation
and other roles. New Zealand and United States defence Overdue, email Rowan at
personnel, Auckland Hospital and Auckland rowan.carroll@police.govt.nz, providing
University staff, dentists, jewellers, funeral your name and contact details.
directors and embalmers, staff from Air
New Zealand and McDonnell Douglas, • If you are in contact with victims’ family
media agencies and others. members who have not had any contact
In many cases, their details are with the ministry, please pass on this
known, but several have died and email address, erebus@mch.govt.nz,
others are dispersed nationally to them.
and internationally.
14 | SEPTEMBER 2018SSAANZ members take part in pool
practice assessments for open-water
diving certification.
Calling old SSAANZ members
Senior Constable
near Lake Tekapo
, from left, David
James Mason an
Benfell, Christophe
d Phil O’Riley, hu
r Morrish,
army buddies
in June this year. nting tahr
T
he six years that Senior Constable My youngest won a fly fishing rod and now The group also accepts former military
James Mason spent in the army asks to go fly fishing whenever we can.” personnel from foreign forces and family
before joining Police had a James is also giving his time as a members of service personnel who have
profound effect on him. coordinator for SSAANZ, promoting the died.
“Memories of patrolling with a pack on group and its events, which include the “Our motto is Unity Through Adventure,
my back and a rifle in my hand regardless core activities of hunting, fishing, diving and so we’re more interested in bringing the
of the weather or terrain bring a smile to golf and one-off activities such as rafting military community together for some
my face and it’s hard to explain to those and snow trips. healthy fun rather than recognising status,”
who haven’t experienced it,” he says. To be eligible to join SSAANZ, members James says.
Now working as a field intelligence officer need only to have passed their initial For more information, visit ssaanz.co.nz, or
at Eastern District HQ, James says the military training. email James, james.mason@police.govt.nz.
culture and skills of the military have stuck
with him, even though he has been a police
officer nearly three times longer than he
was a soldier.
Nostalgia for his army days remains
strong, which is something that other
former military personnel will understand,
he says, and there are a significant number
of them in Police. That’s why James is
keen to spread the word about the recently
formed Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen’s
Association of New Zealand (SSAANZ).
It’s open to past and present military
personnel and offers outdoor pursuits and
adventure activities, not only for enjoyment
and camaraderie but to learn new skills and
maintain wellbeing. “It provides an escape
from the mental drain that some people
experience and opportunity to experience
new things.”
Since the first event was held in February
this year, James and his family have been
ing remote
involved in several activities. “My oldest boy left, with members of his infantry section patroll
Senior Constable (Private) James Mason, far
now has his open-water diving certificate. villages in East Timor.
SEPTEMBER 2018 | 15NOTEBOOK
Keeping you up to date with evolving
THE TECH FILES technology at work and at home
Done in 60 seconds If a suspect has a criminal record or is known to
immigration enforcement, his or her identify can be
S
ixty seconds – for some reason it sounds a confirmed at the roadside or elsewhere, including
lot faster than one minute, which may any outstanding warrants. This avoids having
be why the London Metropolitan to arrest someone and take them to a
Police chose to use that figure when police station to have their identity
announcing the speed with which confirmed.
its new fingerprint device can Once the officer logs off the
confirm a suspect’s identity. device, the recorded fingerprints
The mobile, biometric device is are automatically deleted.
called INK (Identity Not Known). The speed of the information
It uses software loaded onto an pathway is the key to making
Android smartphone and paired INK a user-friendly tool. The
with a Crossmatch fingerprint Met gave this real-life example
reader, which will, as advertised, of INK in use last July. Police
confirm a person’s identity in were called to a report of a naked
60 seconds – as long as the man running on the road, jumping
information is in the police database. on vehicles and self-harming with
The Met is rightly proud of being the a razorblade. The man was obviously
first British police force to have developed its not carrying any ID and he gave officers
own identification device, including the software. incorrect personal details. He was taken to
INK is based on similar technology that has been in use hospital where his fingertips were scanned with the INK
since 2012, but the new kit is so much cheaper, saving an device. The correct data came back – in 60 seconds –
estimated NZ$400,000 in support costs each year, that including a photograph and descriptions of tattoos. The
six times as many devices can be deployed, and 600 INK information provided also highlighted additional health
scanners will be rolled out to frontline officers in London concerns and the man was eventually returned to the
over the next six months. mental health facility from which he had absconded.
You love to be well Equipt
A
cross 13 police jurisdictions in Australia Equipt was developed in Australia by the Victoria
and New Zealand, New Zealand sits at Police Association and Victoria Police with input
No 2 for use of the health and wellbeing from members and the Phoenix Australia Centre
Equipt app launched late last year. for Post-Traumatic Mental Health.
Developed for current and former Police staff The New Zealand version has been customised
and families, the free app is designed to help by the New Zealand Police Association and New
boost your mood, mind and physical and social Zealand Police for use here and features a range
wellbeing. of tools to manage your wellbeing, including
This year there has been an 18 per cent increase controlling stress, sleep issues and putting you in
in the number of sessions used by New Zealanders touch with support if you need it.
and a 44-second increase in average session time.
Of all 13 jurisdictions, engagement with the app Equipt is available on Police iPhones through the
by users in Victoria and New Zealand continues New Zealand Police App Store and on personal
to be greatest, with an average session length of phones through Google Play for Android phones
more than three minutes. or the App Store for iPhones.
16 | SEPTEMBER 2018ASK YOUR
AUNTY...
Between She’s firm
but fair
the Lines Dear Aunty
I recently applied to have a Friday night
shift off in February because I will be
Membership hacks from the Member Services Centre team heading away for the weekend on my
0800 500 122 enquiries@policeassn.org.nz days off. My sergeant declined the
request and said that to take a single
night shift off, I must apply to take the
whole block of shifts off. That’s six days’
leave instead of the one I want. I’ve
looked at the roster and can’t see why it’s
Health Plan & Welfare Membership Hacks: been declined. Can Police make that call
on single night shift leave applications?
Fund Birth Benefits Discounts Edition
Lonesome Leaver
Health Plan member? Police Association/Welfare Fund member?
Have a baby born after July 1, 2018? You’re eligible for Member Discounts. Dear Lonesome Leaver
Log in to our website to see No. Under the Police Leave Management
Our new loyalty benefit allows you
all the deets. Policy, a leave application can include
to claim $200 for signing them up
single shift requests, including single
to the plan, conditional on the child Lost your 2018 member card
night shifts. The criteria for approving
remaining in the plan for five years. to unlock the savings?
or declining leave requests is set out in
Plus, Welfare Fund members can claim Call us or flick an email through and we the policy as:
the $50 birth benefit. can send out a new one. • Applicant’s rest and recreation
Call or email us for the forms. Christmas is on the way – look requirements
out for our special, limited-time • Operational needs of Police
#oohbabybaby #cutenessoverload • The applicant’s employment
discount promotions.
commitments (eg, attendance at trials
or courses)
#makeitrain #discountstyle #xmasprep • How leave approval will affect other
employees
• The purpose of the relevant leave
Holiday Home Hacks: types
Editing a Booking Police managers must approve leave
Already have a booking? Puppy Love applications for a single night shift
Want to add or cancel a few days? when they can, and not unreasonably
MSC doesn't just love Police dogs. withhold approval. However, as you
No problemo!
Meet Maya’s new pup, Zara know, it is harder to get leave for
Go into your booking and click on
weekend shifts and during some times
“Change Booking”. of the year (eg, Christmas and school
This takes you to the “Amend Itinerary” holidays).
page where you can add or cancel days
as you please.
Booking more than three Hi Aunty
months away? I’m planning to retire from Police at the
Go right ahead! But if it’s within the end of this year after 25 years’ service.
Can you tell me what leave I’ll be paid
three-month window, call us and we can
and when?
help you navigate the system.
Out to Pasture
#easyas #amalgamateyoself #puppylove #zara #boxer
Dear Out to Pasture
Congratulations, old-timer! A retirement
well-earned, I’m sure. After your final
day, you’ll get all your leave balance,
What’s UP MSC? Welcome to the crew, Anna Vernon.
excluding sick leave, paid as a lump
Anna is learning the ropes to help you over
sum. IRD will take a fair whack of tax off
Farewell to one of our MSC fam, the phones and she’s learning fast!
it, but you may be able to recover some
Kasie Wiggett. #newbie #welcometothefamily of it at the end of the financial year.
She hasn’t gone far, though – just across Contact the Inland Revenue Department
You won’t hear from Laura U for a while –
the way as the EA for Welfare Fund or a financial adviser for help and enjoy
she’s on holiday.
manager Pete Hayes. your retirement.
Ireland, Scotland, Spain, Mediterranean
#goodluckKC #grownups
Contiki – but she’ll be back. Email questions for Aunty to
editor@policeassn.org.nz.
#adventures #ohtobeyoung #yolo
SEPTEMBER 2018 | 17You can also read
