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Allegations
of Abuse in Institutions |
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2. NANDOR TANCZOS (Green) to the Minister of Police:
Is he satisfied that the police force has a healthy culture? Hon PHIL GOFF (Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade), on behalf
of the Minister of Police: Generally yes, but not in every instance. Nandor Tanczos: What is the Minister’s view on
the statements by the Tasman district police commander to the Nelson Mail
last month that in the case of Terrence Hunt, who was found by a jury in a
civil trial to have struck John Menzies with a police baton and a police
torch, to have kicked him, and then to have fabricated evidence in order to
wrongfully prosecute and imprison him, no disciplinary action would be taken
and it was time to move on; and what does that say about police culture? Hon PHIL GOFF: I think that every member of this
House who deals with members of the police force generally would regard our
police force in this country as being of a very high standard. That is not to
say that police officers universally behave to the standards required, and I
think it is important that our system is responsive to dealing with misconduct
or any corrupt or criminal action by police officers, when allegations are
made against them. We have seen that recently in south Auckland. It may be
interesting for the member to know that last year 47 police officers were
disciplined for misconduct for a variety of reasons, but that number
represents only 0.5 percent of our police force. Martin Gallagher: Further to the Minister’s
immediate previous answer, how did the reported misconduct by a police
officer in the Counties-Manukau Police District come to public attention; and
what was the response of the district commander? Hon PHIL GOFF: That is a case that everybody
takes very seriously. It came to the attention of the police through
allegations made to the police themselves. They conducted an internal inquiry
and decided to press charges—which I think proves that the system does work.
A judge made a comment that that case might represent a more widespread
culture, and we are concerned about that. The police commissioner has
announced a wider and independent inquiry, and announced today that Sir David
Tompkins QC will oversee that inquiry. It will look at things such as whether
there is evidence of a police culture that condones or encourages acts of
violence or other inappropriate treatment towards prisoners. I think it is
very important that that should happen. Keith Locke: Could the Minister tell us whether that inquiry
will focus on a particular police district or be more general, if it is
really to address Judge Davidson’s comments that there is a sick culture, and
Sergeant Nelson’s comments that that culture is widespread in police stations
throughout New Zealand? Hon PHIL GOFF: I think that the inquiry will focus in particular
on the Wiri Police District, where the allegation that that culture exists
has been made. If I may correct the member, Judge Davidson did not say that
the culture was widespread; he said that it may be. It is important that when
a member of the judiciary expresses that concern, or when there are actions
like those that this man has now been convicted of, such an inquiry does take
place, that it be independent, and that it restore any confidence that may
have been lost because of the actions of a small minority of police officers
that are not acceptable. Stephen Franks: Can the Minister explain how the
police culture can be healthy, when the Minister of Police could not give a
straight answer yesterday to two requests in response to a simple
question—are the police instructed not to deliberately or carelessly mislead
111 callers? Hon PHIL GOFF: What that member has just said is
his own interpretation of that answer. I can assure the member that the
police are certainly under clear orders not to deliberately mislead or
misdirect anyone. That stands to reason. Keith Locke: Is the Minister aware of the comments of Mr
Solomona’s district commander—to whom he referred earlier as Superintendent
Steve Shortland—that staff who speak anonymously to the media are “traitors
who do it for money, a free lunch, sex, or out of stupidity”; and is that not
a culture of cover-up that helps to protect the sort of sadism we saw in the
Solomona case? Hon PHIL GOFF: I have no knowledge of the
comments that the member has quoted, but I do know that the immediate
response by the police to announce an investigation, plus the fact that they
took action when their internal investigation found that misconduct appeared
to have occurred, actually says exactly the opposite. I have in my hand a
statement from the district commander, Superintendent Steve Shortland. He
states that the conduct uncovered is totally appalling and that while he
believes that it is confined to a very small group of officers, it is
important that an investigation take place. That has been announced and it is
under way. That is what is important. Nandor Tanczos: Can the Minister confirm that
Senior Sergeant Anthony Solomona may now be entitled to a golden handshake in
the form of a “perf”, and that over recent years a number of police officers
have left the force with full “perf” entitlements after being found guilty
of, or admitting to, offences including indecent assault, use of excessive
force, theft, fraud, and sexual harassment; and how long does the Government
intend to allow corrupt officers to continue to rip off the system? Hon PHIL GOFF: Clearly an internal disciplinary
procedure will be initiated against Senior Sergeant Solomona and any other
police officer who has been convicted of any offence. Should he resign or be
sacked, he is entitled to one thing and one thing alone: his superannuation,
which includes his own and his employer’s contribution. That is standard. |
