NZ Herald
March 8, 2004
Police taunted over rape allegations
by Louisa Cleave
Police on the
frontline have endured "barbed comments and sarcasm" since
allegations of a pack-rape were made public, according to their boss.
Commissioner Rob Robinson has encouraged staff to keep focused on the job and
maintain professionalism in a message in the police newsletter, Ten One.
Mr Robinson tells staff it may be some time before the allegations and issues
surrounding the officers are dealt with. There would be further reshuffling in
three districts -
"In the meantime, I ask that we all maintain our focus on crime and crash
reduction and support one another as we wait for the processes to unfold,"
he wrote.
He acknowledged the impact of the allegations on staff - particularly those
"carrying out general duties policing, operating switchboards, working in
watch houses and in other situations involving public contact, who have had to
endure barbed comments and sarcasm." He thanked them for "remaining
professional in the face of some difficulty."
Mr Robinson said there had also been many "wonderful expressions of
support" from the community.
"Ultimately, good will come out of the
transparency and accountability demanded of us all."