Gang activity Inside the Gang Intelligence Centre - The facts of leave Tough guys - Police Association
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MARCH 2018 Gang activity Inside the Gang Intelligence Centre The facts of leave Tough guys Sporting chance Advice from Aunty True frontline crime stories Nominations open for sports awards
Contents
13 Called to
account 17 Postcards from...
Paraparaumu
6 On the list 14 User-friendly guide to annual leave
4 Proud as: Photos from Auckland Pride Parade 14 The facts of leave: Everything you always Regulars
wanted to know…
5 Ganging up: Deportation boosts gang activity 20 Brain Teaser
in New Zealand 17 Postcards from… Paraparaumu
20 Keen on Beer
6 Cover story: Inside the Gang Intelligence 18 Most Wanted: True-life crime from the frontline
21 Keen on Wine
Centre in Wellington
19 The Tech Files: Virtual reality; cameras on cops 26 Letters
9 Iam Keen 22 Health & Wellbeing: The strange world of 27 Memorial Wall
our blood types
10 Career crossroad? Try being a driving instructor 27 Contacts
23 Between the Lines: Hacks from our
11 “Sallie” in the ranks: Former cop’s memoir, Membership Services Centre
plus book giveaway
23 Jack of all trades: Our property administrator retires
11 ERA claim: Workplace allowances under scrutiny
24 Sport: Sports Diary; AP&ES Games; Police
13 Called to account: Association finance manager Sport MOU; judo referee Diane Limbrey; Police
David Osborne retires Association Police Sports Awards nominations open
March 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 | MARCH 2018
NEWS AND VIEWS
from the
True -life
crime stories 18 President
P
olicing has to be one of the a half or whole shift’s worth of officers’
most dynamic environments time to deal with.
in which to work, as shown We know that in recent years there has
by the variety of news stories and been a concerning increase in offending
talkback and social media discussions and it is the frontline that responds to
focusing on seemingly all aspects of this growing demand. The resources for
police work. the frontline need to be boosted if there
It seems everyone has an opinion, and is to be any discernible increase in crime
11
the dominant one is that police should clearance rates. This is also the case
Life Wide Open be out there solving all crime. For sure, with road policing, particularly with the
book giveaway police officers aim to do just that, but tragic uptick in the number of fatalities
I’m concerned at the ever-increasing and serious injuries on our roads.
workload our members are facing as Specialist teams undoubtedly have an
they stretch themselves close to, or important role in addressing the drivers
beyond, breaking point. of crime, and there is no argument that
In my travels around the country, organised crime is a growing worry
I talk to officers in rural, provincial and for New Zealand. Increasing resources
metropolitan New Zealand and the in specialist areas, however, must not
overwhelming theme is the massive come at the expense of general crime
increase in the demands for service, investigation squads.
but the required resourcing is just not Police needs to recognise that,
keeping pace. wonderful though many prevention
I am talking about the pressures on initiatives are, people expect a response
24-hour frontline response staff, PST, to their calls for service. If that’s not
24
crime squads and dog handlers. Our happening due to unacceptable
2017 members’ survey identified that workloads on the frontline, there is
nine out of 10 staff perceive there are a real risk of losing the trust of New
Sport
not enough resources allocated to Zealanders.
GDB frontline, and in Southern and When the Police Minister and the
Eastern Districts, 97 per cent of staff Police executive sit down to discuss the
believe the frontline is under-resourced. allocation of the 1800 staff promised,
In Commissioner Bush’s recent 24/7 frontline responders need to be
presentation of the Police Annual at the head of the queue.
Phone: (04) 496 6800
Review to the Justice Select Committee,
Fax: (04) 471 1309 he identified significant pressures,
Editor: Ellen Brook including 122,000 family harm incidents
Email: editor@policeassn.org.nz attended in the last year and 35,000
Website: www.policeassn.org.nz mental health incidents.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ As the Commissioner pointed out,
nzpoliceassociation these are not “drop-in-and-drop-out” president@policeassn.org.nz
Twitter: @nzpoliceassn situations and a single incident can take Chris Cahill
MARCH 2018 | 3
The Buzz
900,000
The decrease in the number of
breath tests done by police over
four years, Resourcing issues or
targeted policing? You decide.
Still proud!
T
he police presence at the annual Auckland Pride Parade seems to grow
bigger and better each year. This year, Association president Chris Cahill
joined colleagues on the walk down Ponsonby Rd. Commissioner Mike
Bush was there too. What a change from 2014 when Police staff weren’t allowed
to march in their uniforms and sought assistance from the Police Association for
T-shirts with our logo on them instead. It seems that now, far from shying away
from the event, everyone wants a photo with Miss Chocolate Box and her friends.
The Association also sponsored a barbecue for the hungry police participants.
TWO-UP?
When you’re partnered with
Deadpool what could possibly
go wrong? – Wellington District
Police Facebook
Surely the Police
Association can do
no wrong with a
president called
‘Christ Cahill’.
Twitter user Dave Burgess@
DaveBurgess13 on a Radio
New Zealand website story
with a reverential typo in our
president’s name. Photo: CONSTABLE CAROLINE
LUDFORD, AUCKLAND
FORENSIC IMAGING
4 | MARCH 2018
NEWS AND VIEWS
Deportation boosts gang activity
P
hotographed standing beside Critical area for resourcing the Police response to organised crime and
gold-plated motorbikes, Our own members continue to sound drugs was under-resourced.
Comanchero gang members have the alarm on gang activity and the level of When asked to name the single-most
been boasting online about setting up a resourcing needed to tackle it. critical area for additional resources,
chapter in New Zealand. In last year’s Association Member Survey, organised crime and drugs was the second
The crowing and posturing come as no one officer was quoted as saying: “I believe area of concern (after frontline/general
surprise to police, who have been concerned the organised criminal element in New duties), but the level of concern had risen
about the potential activities of this particular Zealand are now sufficiently armed and more significantly than in previous years –
gang since Australia began deporting Kiwi pose a threat to all members of society, 18 per cent compared with 14 per cent in
crims back to New Zealand two years ago. let alone police. As a frontline sergeant, I 2015. The concern for frontline resources
Detective Superintendent Greg Williams, believe that police should be armed at all had risen by 3 per cent (from 61% to 64%).
head of the National Organised Crime times, along with more and better training
Group, confirmed in the media last month in the handling and shooting of firearms.”
that the Comancheros had formed a Kiwi His concerns about equipment and Concerns about existing and
chapter and they appeared to be aligning training were echoed in the survey results growing gang activity are not
themselves with the Mongrel Mob in with two out of three respondents saying confined to Police. A ground-
Waikato and the Filthy Few in Tauranga. breaking whole of government
Police are most concerned about the approach, initiated two years ago,
gang’s predilection for the use of firearms, led to the formation of the Gang
conflict with other gangs and extreme Intelligence Centre – a multi-
violence. Last month a former president agency organisation, hosted by
of the Comancheros was shot dead in a Police are most Police, and based at Police National
Sydney car park in what was believed to
have been a revenge killing.
concerned Headquarters in Wellington.
Through the application of
The Police Association has long been about the gang’s comprehensive data analysis from
concerned about how members of
outlaw motorcycle gangs deported
predilection across government departments,
its aim is to try to break the cycles
from Australia would contribute to the for the use of harm generated through
“professionalisation” and sophistication
of gangs here, including developing and
of firearms, generations of gang life in
New Zealand.
expanding methamphetamine networks. conflict with
Early last year, president Chris Cahill Read about the work of the Gang
warned that gang competition for the meth other gangs Intelligence Centre on the
market in New Zealand could have severe and extreme following pages.
consequences in terms of public safety
and policing. violence.
Conspicuous consumption: Comanchero members wearing New Zealand patches posted Instagram photos of
themselves, including with gold-plated motorbikes. Not long after, the customised bike on the left was seized by
police in Tauranga (and photographed, right).
MARCH 2018 | 5
COVE R S TO RY
The intelligent
approach
If you’re a gang member, associate or prospect living in
New Zealand, Police has got tabs on you. Ellen Brook reports.
U
sing ground-breaking This year, it is hoping to get seconded
collaborative techniques, the staff from several other social and
Gang Intelligence Centre (GIC), “The real value is regulatory agencies.
“hosted” by the National Intelligence Collaboration and buy-in from other
Centre at PNHQ, has compiled a list of
the strategic agencies are key aspects of the GIC’s
individuals called the National Gang intelligence that mission to provide “insight to inform
List (NGL). It’s currently at 5500 names action across a spectrum of social and law
of gang members and prospects – and enables system-wide enforcement options”, which continues
counting.
The GIC was set up two years ago under
harm reduction and to align with the new government’s stated
focus on tackling organised crime and
the previous government, as part of a wider prevention.” reducing poverty.
gang harm reduction strategy, and tasked Is it “Big Brother”? If you’re a gang
with building detailed intelligence about member, you may well think so, but there
gang activity in New Zealand with the are strict rules around the gathering and
ultimate aim of reducing gang harm. Travis Benson, Police National Intelligence use of such information.
Police Commissioner Peter Marshall Centre manager, says the multi-agency From a bundle of material arriving from
had previously said it was time for the GIC has evolved from “uncharted disparate sources, the GIC seeks to shine
country to find a “circuit breaker” for inter- beginnings” into a “genuine New Zealand an analytical light on gang activity – from
generational gang culture. Government fusion centre”. the home front to overseas connections
After two years, the GIC is getting into It is the largest centre of its kind in – to more accurately inform policy and
its stride and the NGL is one of its major the country, with representatives from strategic responses across government.
accomplishments, Police, Customs, Corrections, Housing Intelligence supervisor Les Maxwell says
along with its New Zealand, the Ministry of Social Police simply couldn’t do it alone.
innovative Development and Internal Affairs. Continued P8
“whole of
government”
approach.
Effecting change from the 12th floor:
From left, GIC supervisor Les Maxwell, GIC
manager Cathy Toi-Cassidy, NIC manager
Travis Benson.
6 | MARCH 2018
A fictional example of inter-generational gang connections and victims in
one family – based on GIC research into real gang-related families.
A Gang Family Tree
Family violence alert Previous relationship Current relationship
Former or current beneficiary
Prison or probation sentence Parents Parents
Child included in current benefit Ruby Gang
71 years
member
Gang member Current caregiver of several
young family members
1st generation
Ruby has nine
children
victim victim victim & Partner: offender
offender gang Gang
member member
victim offender
1st generation Parents
Caregiver of
child of Ruby relative Jo
49 years
(husband:
gang member)
Gang member
offender/serious violence/
victim weapons/agg robbery/firearms
2nd generation
seven children
victim victim & victim & Gang member Agg victim & Imprisonment
offender/ offender/ victim & robbery offender/ as youth – gang
violence violence/ offender/ violence/ member
weapons/current violence/ weapons Serious
charges weapons/ violence/Agg
current charges robbery
Mother Mother Father Father
3rd generation
12 children
aged 1-17 years Caregiver: Caregiver:
relative relative
Father Father Father Mother
Mother Mother
victim & Gang victim & victim/
offender member offender current charges victim & offender/ victim
violence/current
victim & offender/ charges
violence/weapons/
current charges
Source: NZ Gang Intellegence Centre
MARCH 2018 | 7
“Now we can actually count the cost to
society and it’s quite an eye-opener.”
“The information Police gets is not testing and safeguard tenancy managers increase support for strategies that tackle
always accurate because the individuals and contractors. We can also highlight social harm. “The real value is the strategic
we deal with can have several aliases. The opportunities for partner agencies to intelligence that enables system-wide harm
Department of Internal Affairs, however, provide support if children or victims of reduction and prevention,” he says.
can be more precise regarding identity family violence are present in the home.” So how does that translate at the
validation and can more easily see where Some of the “bigger picture” snapshots grassroots level? What does all the data and
something may not line up.” that the NGL highlights are, for example, number crunching achieve for the social
Travis says that before the GIC began, that particular chapters of the Mongrel Mob agencies on the ground?
many agencies were not fully aware of the are evolving and expanding and there are The overview helps all agencies, they say,
impact that gangs could have on the work now more Comanchero motorcycle gang with intel that can be as good for a social
of their organisations. “Now we can actually members arriving in New Zealand since worker in the suburbs (being kept apprised
count the cost to society and it’s quite an Australia began deporting gang members of gang family connections) as it can be for
eye-opener,” he says. back here. a policy analyst at Treasury (just how much
A Ministry of Social Development report The GIC also works with the Australian that family is costing the country) or Police
on gang activity shows that cycles of Gang Intelligence Co-ordination Centre, (intel on the character of a person seeking
violence within gang families collectively overseen by the Australian Crime a firearms licence).
cost the welfare system $714 million over Intelligence Commission, and the Pacific The GIC is studying its expanding big
their lifetimes. Between 1993 and 2014, Transnational Crime Co-ordination Centre picture to see if it can find the answers
nine out of 10 gang members received based in Samoa. to reducing family and societal harm. For
a benefit or other welfare, costing $525 The South Pacific is an area of concern, example, it has embarked on a project to
million, the report said. says Les. “Organised crime is a significant utilise the Integrated Data Infrastructure
The report said 60 per cent of children threat to the region. With the knowledge we (IDI), a massive research database owned by
born to gang parents were abused or have of gang activity, such as the names and Statistics NZ but with data from a range of
neglected and it estimated that Child, whereabouts of individuals, we have been government agencies, to answer policy and
Youth and Family spent up to $189 million able to disrupt dozens of movements.” evaluation questions with respect to gangs.
supporting the children of gang members For example, he says, as a result of good One of the main aims is to break the cycle
over their lifetimes. intel, on one occasion at least 12 members of gang life. Nobody thinks that’s going to
More than 30 per cent of the country’s of the Tribesmen gang were prevented be easy, or that it will happen quickly.
prison population are affiliated with a gang. from travelling to Fiji. As the GIC’s new manager, Cathy Toi-
Inmates often feel pressured into aligning Cassidy, puts it: “We are taking small bites
with a gang for their own protection.
Regular GIC reporting highlights the
number of gang members involved in
T he GIC also monitors changes in gang
membership and connections. Travis
says police intelligence on certain gang
of the elephant.” She’s optimistic, however,
that with the overview and input of many
government agencies working together,
serious violence offences, including members has been enriched by 40 per they will at least have a fighting chance.
homicides, kidnappings, firearms and cent by the GIC because of more “accurate A key initiative in the whole of
meth offences. This intelligence also views of networks”. government plan is the Start at Home
informs other reporting. For example, the He says it’s a trap, however, to talk about programme, led by MSD, to try to turn
GIC prepares intel reports for Housing the GIC only in law enforcement terms. “It’s people away from the gang lifestyle and
New Zealand, which has about 400 a collaborative effort and a progression to reduce the likelihood of young people
gang members living in its properties. build a strategic intelligence picture for the joining gangs.
Information on methamphetamine and whole country.” It will take generations to see change, so
violence offences involving any of these In the first couple of years, more of a law it helps to be a believer. “The information
gang members is invaluable. enforcement approach had been necessary is all right here,” says Travis. “The intel does
“With that information,” Les says, “Housing to help build the picture, he says, but the work. The fusion model is the best
NZ can prioritise meth contamination the next phase of the GIC’s mission is to chance we have for dealing with gangs.”
8 | MARCH 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.
Crash and learn online, the value of these wise old heads and not have to back it up with facts.
M y mates around the country have to mentor the greenhorns will be more Certain sections of the firearms
been telling me some scary stories important than ever. community have been using the veil of
about the number of accidents that staff Sure, they might not be able to quote social media anonymity to attack your
are being involved in while urgent duty “Our Business” verbatim, but when it comes president, posting a Photoshopped
driving. to keeping each other safe, they are who picture of him in a Nazi uniform, being
Perhaps it’s not surprising, given the we want in the i-cars with the newbies, and one example. Although, I have to say…
increase in cars on the road, but 19 vehicles the bosses should keep that front of mind. he does look rather smart.
damaged in one district in a month is a Even a policing-related social media
Mod-cops site fell for it recently, with a post alleging
T
pretty negative way to increase foot patrols.
he new Christchurch Central Police there had been 23 resignations from
Speed is a dominant factor and I hope
Station in the recently opened justice Counties Manukau in one week to go
some of the crazy numbers I hear have
precinct is an amazing facility with lots of to Queensland. The facts are that CM is
been embellished in the telling.
mod cons, special engineering features to currently over RAT and possibly has its
It reminds me of my first car chase (sorry,
keep people safe in an earthquake and lots lowest attrition in memory.
“failing to stop”), the adrenaline buzz of
of innovative thinking. I guess it was a case of not letting the
driving flat out, red and blues blazing, the
However, it comes with some challenges, facts get in the way of a good story.
convoy of units behind us and Delta doing
and it will be interesting to watch as a few
what they do best. Forcing the fleeing
dinosaurs adapt to the idea of hot desking
burglars off the road made for a great story
over a beer at Sunday school.
and shared work groups.
The bottom line is, it’s something to be
Stay safe
out there...
Over the years, however, I have seen proud of, and I bet our Auckland Central
many similar incidents end in tragedy, for all colleagues would grab it with open arms.
involved. It makes me appreciate the wise
old head who kept me calm during that Social misinformation Constable Iam Keen
Y
pursuit and ensured good sense prevailed es, we all love social media, and it can To update Iam Keen
during the adrenaline rush. be a great crime-fighting tool. Trouble with information, email
With the 1800 new recruits coming is, it’s a bit too easy to say whatever you like iamkeen@policeassn.org.nz
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MARCH 2018 | 9
In Brief Still on the road
A
fter 27 years with Police, in New training programmes and have also become
Zealand and Britain, Mark Revill- the person the team comes to for the tough
Johnson felt he was facing a career questions.”
SAR names sought crossroad. Mark says he would definitely recommend
Should he stay on in the job well into becoming a driving instructor as a great next
Calling all former members of
retirement or go out on his own and try step for any police officer looking for a new
Auckland Police Search and
something new? challenge or if they’re about to retire.
Rescue… If you served for at least a
He opted for the latter and six years ago he
year with Auckland SAR, your name
will be added to a new honours
board in the SAR squad room at
became a fulltime driving instructor based in
Cambridge.
Having already qualified as a driving
M eanwhile, a Hamilton highway patrol
officer has been commended by
Police for helping a disqualified driver get
the Auckland Harbour Bridge Base.
instructor in Britain, that made his choice legal behind the wheel.
Detective Constable Sara Arrow
a little easier, but also, he says, it meant he Police’s online Ten One magazine reported
is trying to track down all those
could make use of the skills and knowledge last month on how Senior Constable Neale
who would be eligible to have their
he had honed while working for Police Williams pulled over a woman who was
names on the board. The earliest
and he could still make a difference in the found to be driving without a licence.
member she has managed to find
community. She had been disqualified more than eight
so far is from 1962, although official
“It’s a scary step to take going from the years previously, but had never attempted to
records don’t go back much further
security of a salary and a team to running requalify because she was embarrassed by
than the late 1980s. Auckland SAR
your own business,” he says. her lack of reading and writing skills.
currently has 18 officers and three
“But it’s also a lifestyle choice because Neale offered to be a “reader”, sitting
dog handlers, drawn from across
there is so much more flexibility. You’re with her while she took the test, and also
Auckland, whose SAR duties are on
your own boss and in some small way you recommended a New Zealand Transport
top of their regular police work. Six
can reduce death and injury on the road, so Agency app to help her study the theory part
are on call at any one time, 24/7, for
you’re still making a difference,” he says. of the test.
bush and urban searches, rescuing
“Being in the Police prepares you better “I sat with her and we did the test,” Ten
injured people, body recovery and
than most people to pass the qualification One reported. “She failed with 31 out of 35 –
assisting with maritime SAR. Sara
exam because we already have a good you’re only allowed to get three wrong. She
can be contacted at
handle of the road rules and the difference had clearly studied, though, as the mistakes
sara.arrow@police.govt.nz.
wording in a law can make,” he says. were silly ones.
“What it doesn’t teach you is how to market “She couldn’t afford to pay for the test
yourself, which is a core part of generating again so I paid for a second go – I thought if
business.” we don’t do it now it’ll go into the too-hard
That’s where signing up with an basket. Second time, she passed with room
organisation such as the Automobile to spare.”
Association (AA) can be useful, he says. Neale was praised by his supervisor, Acting
“You still have your independence, but you Sergeant Will Hamilton, who said the story
That takes the biscuit also get referrals and learn the skills to build was a perfect demonstration of the essence
A London Metropolitan police your own client network. and spirit of the Police High Performance
officer who was on restricted duties “I’m at the point now where I’m training Framework.
for nearly two years after being novice and experienced drivers, have Former police officer
accused of stealing a tin of biscuits launched a motorbike training course Mark Revill-Johnson is
from a colleague in May 2016 has through the AA, I’m working as an AA an AA driving instructor
in Cambridge. “In some
been found not guilty of gross technical instructor, helping to develop new small way you can reduce
misconduct. Police Oracle reported death and injury on
that the officer was said to have the road, so you’re still
making a difference.”
handed out the “posh” biscuits from
a two-tier tin to colleagues at the
end of a busy night shift. That led
to an accusation of theft and he
was put on light duties when the
Professional Standards Department
was called in to investigate, which
led to a disciplinary hearing. The
length of time the case took has
highlighted delays in internal
investigations at the Met.
10 | MARCH 2018NEWS AND VIEWS
A “Sallie” in the ranks
A
former police officer turned constable on a tour of the In between are true-to-life accounts
image consultant, Sheryn Palmerston North Police of some of the toughest aspects of
Adamson is about to launch her Station. policing. As Sheryn says: “Life as I
first book – a tell-all memoir that ranges In 1993, they married knew it, going from a civilian to a
through religion, policing and fertility and their difficult journey sworn police officer, would change
issues. towards having a family is at me forever in many unexpected
Her matter-of-fact and honest account the core of the book. ways.”
of her Salvation Army upbringing, her eye- As the daughter of fulltime Life Wide Open is being launched
opening 12 years with New Zealand Police Christian on Sunday, March 25, at the
and her struggles with infertility and ministers, Khandallah Town Hall, Wellington,
her faith will strike a chord with many. Sheryn 6pm-7pm. A limited number of
Life Wide Open, subtitled One Girl’s has obviously picked books will be for sale at $30 each, cash
Extraordinary Journey, is published up a trick or two only sales. The book is also available
by the Christian self-publishing about conveying through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, the
group WestBow Press. faith-based Book Depository and Google Play books.
Sheryn joined Police when she messages, which
was 19, spending the first six years are woven through
on “the street” before moving to her book.
covert ops for the last six years of GIVEAWAY
her career. We have one copy of Life Wide Open
Like something straight from by Sheryn Adamson (WestBow Press,
the book she would eventually pb) to give away. To be in the draw,
write, she met her husband-to- email editor@policeassn.org.nz
be on the first day on the job with LIFE WIDE OPEN in the subject
when Constable Brad Adamson line and include your name and
(now based at PNHQ) was tasked address in the body of the email.
with taking the probationary The draw closes on March 20.
Workplace allowances under scrutiny
T
he definition of a “normal place of Police, however, say an employee is impact on other allowances within the CEA.
work”, and allowances associated only entitled to the allowance where Temporary positions within districts are
with that, is at the core of a Police “a movement or change is required by frequently being advertised as excluding
Association claim being laid with the Police due to operational or resourcing all allowances. We see this as potentially
Employment Relations Authority (ERA). requirements that are ad hoc, temporary subverting CEA entitlements, which set
The Association has filed a “statement and out of the ordinary”. the minimum entitlements and cannot be
of problem” with the ERA with the aim of “In practical terms, this would apply only contracted out of.”
clarifying staff entitlements amid differing where Police had directed the employee The issue essentially comes down to the
interpretations of the law around rotations to move on a temporary basis,” Mr Dwyer point at which an employee’s normal “place
and allowances. said. “And Police insist that any expression of work” changes.
Association legal officer Harley Dwyer of interest in any position by an employee Police argue it changes immediately upon a
said the Association and Police had been invalidates any claim. This means that change in workplace, whether as a rotation or
in discussions for some time on the matter, payment of any allowance could be negated other temporary move.
mainly to do with work-related motor simply by an employee indicating their The Association’s view is that the “normal place
vehicle reimbursements. preferred position in a compulsory rotation.” of work” is the substantive position to which a
Under clause 4.9.1(ii) of the Constabulary Given that Police also now appoint member returns at the end of any temporary
Collective Employment Agreement (CEA), members to districts rather than stations, assignment, rotation or secondment.
if an employee is required to travel to an any move of any employee within a district If members have any specific examples
alternate place of work that is a further could also avoid payment of the allowance, which they think should be reviewed in
away than where they previously worked, he said. light of the ERA proceedings outlined here,
they can be reimbursed for the difference in “The Association sees this as problematic please advise your local field officer as
travel costs. given the size of Police districts. It may also soon as possible.
MARCH 2018 | 11POLICE HOME LOAN PACKAGE NEWS
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review, the Reserve Bank said it expects it to stay there for If you’d like to see how much you could save on your home
another year at least. loan by increasing your repayments, check out our home loan
repayments calculator at anz.co.nz. And don’t forget, if you
Lower interest rates mean lower home loan repayments have a fixed home loan, you can make one lump sum payment
– and more money in the pocket of many homeowners. of up to 5 per cent of your total balance each year, without
But it’s also an opportunity for those who can find some paying an early repayment recovery fee*.
extra cash from their household budget to put towards
reducing their home loan faster. Of course, while the outlook for interest rate markets looks
stable for the foreseeable future, there are no guarantees,
as recent volatility in sharemarkets shows.
So, if you’d like to find out more about how to put the
squeeze on your home loan, contact us on 0800 269 296,
or pop into your nearest branch. And, if you’re not already
taking advantage of the great benefits of the Police Home
Loan Package, including discounts on home loan interest rates
and other banking products, find out how we can help you
save even more.
* Early repayment administration fee still applies.
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 which takes into account your individual
circumstances before you acquire a financial product. If you would like to speak to an ANZ Authorised Financial Adviser, please 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 Lumley
your loan document from ANZ. General Insurance (NZ) Limited.
12 | MARCH 2018NEWS AND VIEWS
Closing his current account
F
inance, tax and commercial affairs form of two other former Telecom staffers David was hired as the Police
have been David Osborne’s bread who asked David to join them in setting Association’s finance manager in 2003
and butter for his entire working up Paradigm Technologies, specialising in by then-CEO Chris Pentecost, who told
life, which stretches back to 1967 and international telephone pricing software. him he wanted a “mature person with
the accounts department at the Shell Oil David became the finance and plenty of experience”. David fitted the bill
terminal in Napier. commercial manager of the company, and, as he recalls, Chris was very impressed
Preparing to retire after 15 years as the which had contracts with telephone with his expertise in Excel spreadsheets.
Police Association’s finance manager, companies in Indonesia, the Netherlands Even so, he says, it took him several
David, 71, has been reflecting on his long and the United States. months to learn all about how the
career. In hindsight, it’s clear he’s had great Paradigm Technologies eventually moved Association worked. “It’s not just a union.
instincts for making good decisions at the its HQ to Britain, but not before it had sold There’s this whole other commercial side
right time. ground-breaking software that included to it.”
The Hastings born and raised lad had Y2K millennial changeover protection. During his time at the Association, he
originally gone to Massey University David continued as the New Zealand has seen the organisation’s assets increase
in Palmerston North to study food manager for a while, but eventually found four-fold and turnover has risen by 200 per
technology, but after one year he realised that working in two time zones was taking cent. Holiday Homes have increased from
that the world of academia wasn’t for him. a toll on his health and family life, which 43 to 66 and the number of members
He preferred a more practical approach has always been paramount for him and accessing discount mortgages has
and, as it turned out, found his niche in Robyn. increased more than four-fold. Health Plan
accounting. In the early 1980s, they began fostering membership has risen by 23 per cent and
In 1968 he transferred to the Shell Oil children through the Open Home claims are up by $21.2 million. Association
head office in Wellington, where he rose to Foundation. Over 15 years, they fostered and Welfare membership has increased by
become the financial accounting manager. 34 children, most under the age of 12, 30 per cent.
That same year, he met his wife to for anything from a few weeks to a few He’s proud of the fact that the
be, Robyn, at a dance at the Sheraton months. Association weathered the 2008 global
Ballroom in the city. The couple married financial crisis (GFC) in good heart,
in 1972 and have two children. He stayed suffering no losses.
with Shell Oil till 1980, then moved to As for the world of accounting, it’s
Fletcher Challenge, but kept continuity become far more regulated with a
with the oil industry with responsibility for tangle of red tape and bureaucracy, he
the Rockgas LPG side of the business. says. “It all got very complicated after
That was until 1984, when he joined the GFC, which led to a lot of reporting
Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) as group constraints. Company tax, especially, is
finance and tax manager, but, developing very complicated these days.”
his weather eye for financial forecasts, he Retiring finance Outside of work, David has been a keen
manager David
says he was able to “bail out” before Osborne. photographer since the age of 16 when
that company left New Zealand. he got his first camera, an East German-
In 1986 he joined air made Praktica. Nowadays he wrangles a
compressor company Canon and photographs the natural world,
Atlas Copco as a financial people, weddings and special occasions.
controller until that It’s a creative outlet for a man whose
company also moved professional life has been immersed in
offshore to Australia, a figures, spreadsheets and audits.
destination he wasn’t Now he’s finally ready to retire, he says,
too keen on. though he will miss the Association, which
The time was he says is a wonderfully “people-oriented”
right to move again organisation.
and this time it He and Robyn and the family, including
was to rising telco five grandchildren, will be spending a bit
Telecom, where he more time at their Horowhenua bach and
became manager he’s hoping there may be a contract job
financial accounting. or two on the side – just to keep his
Later, he survived two hand in.
restructures, but not Knowing his knack for being in the right
a third, but opportunity place at the right time, there probably
knocked again in the will be.
MARCH 2018 | 13NOTEBOOK
The facts of leave
Everything you always wanted to know, but were afraid to ask.
What is my leave What is a “leave year”? • Take operational requirements into
entitlement? All employees have their own “leave year” account. Both employees and managers
starting from the date they joined Police need to plan around this. Police should
Constabulary employees are entitled
– their “anniversary” date. For example, if not cancel an employee’s leave at the
to 20 annual leave days (25 after five
an employee joined Police on October 15, last minute when an operation should
years’ service), 11 statutory holidays and
2 Commissioner’s holidays (there is no 2008, their current leave year is October 15, have been planned earlier or if an
entitlement to Commissioner’s holidays 2017, to October 14, 2018. operation can wait until the employee
after five years). Police managers often use the date of returns from leave;
Non-constabulary employees are June 30 to manage leave because this is • Be flexible. The leave plan is a “living”
entitled to 20 annual leave days (25 the end of the financial year and they want document and amendments may be
after 5 years), 11 statutory holidays and to reduce leave liability. However, June needed due to unforeseen operational
3 Commissioner’s days (there is no 30 has no relevance to leave-year dates requirements and changes in the
entitlement to Commissioner’s holidays (unless you started then), which should employee’s personal circumstances. It
after five years). be tied only to an employee’s individual is reasonable to expect employees to
leave year. have a leave plan, but a reasonable plan
How does leave accrue?
includes some flexibility.
Leave balances are updated in MyPolice What’s the deal with
overnight. Statutory holidays and “leave plans”? The difference between
Commissioner’s days are accrued as they Police can expect its employees to have leave entitlement and
occur. a “leave plan”, which is a reasonable and
Your entitlement to Shift Workers Leave
leave accruing
sound expectation for managing leave.
is calculated throughout the year and your As if it’s not complicated enough, leave
The leave plan should cover an employee’s
balance will adjust accordingly throughout falls into two categories – your leave
particular leave year and:
the year. It is important that your entitlement and your leave accruing.
timesheets are up to date so all qualifying • Ensure employees have the opportunity Leave entitlement is the balance of your
hours/shifts are included for calculation. to take their leave unused leave on your anniversary date. For
Where a statutory holiday falls on a Saturday • Ensure employees are properly example, if your anniversary date is October
or Sunday, it is transferrable to the following consulted about taking their leave, so 15, your leave year begins on October 15
Monday (Mondayised). The next time this they can, as far as possible, take leave each year. If, on October 15 this year, you
happens won’t be till 2020 when both Anzac when they want to. Any discussions have a leave balance of 22 days, this is your
Day and Boxing Day fall on a Saturday. about leave should be two-way “leave entitlement”. Continued page 16
14 | MARCH 2018ASK
AUNTYOUR
Y...
...about leave
Dear Aunty sending an email to your HR office, how you intend on getting below the
copying in your supervisor, saying: 50 days’ leave maximum on December
I’m a newly promoted sergeant and
12, given you’re intending to leave near
have been told by my supervisors that “I have been directed to reduce my
your anniversary date. It’s a good idea
all my staff must have a leave balance leave balance to a level that does not
to let Police know your plan – usually
of fewer than 40 days by June 30 this align with my entitlement under the
in this scenario it’s not an issue.
year and that I need to make sure I add collective agreement. I am notifying
that as a KRA (key results area) in their you that I am exercising my right
next performance appraisals. I know under the collective agreement to
this doesn’t align with the CEA – what
Dear Aunty
accrue up to my 50 days entitlement
should I do? during my leave year (eg, October 15 I work in CIB and we’ve always worked
to October 15) and will be planning my on public holidays. Now my supervisor
Congratulations on your promotion!
leave around my individual leave year.” has told our team that we are not
You’re now officially the meat in the
required to work on public holidays
sandwich between management and
any more and we have to take these
staff. You could include a KRA in a
days off as HOLs. Can they do this?
performance appraisal on effective
leave management but, as you know,
you cannot include a KRA that enforces
Police, as the Yes. Police, as the employer, can
determine whether you are required
a balance not in line with the collective. employer, can on a public holiday. It is not a right to
work a statutory holiday. The whole
You could possibly meet the needs
of both parties by having something determine point of statutory holidays is to give
along the lines of, “Complete a employees a day off at the same time
12-month leave plan (which may be whether you as their family and friends as well as
amended) and takes leave accordingly
to ensure regular periods of leave for
are required marking a special event. Employees
should be entitled to take a statutory
the purpose of rest and recreation”. on a public holiday unless there are operational
requirements that require them to
holiday. work. The alternative day (day in lieu)
Dear Aunty and time and a half payments are
actually penalties under the Holidays
My leave balance is only 37 days, but
Act 2003 to encourage employers to
I’ve been told I need to get a leave plan
give staff the day off. To avoid this
together for the next 12 months. Is that Dear Aunty penalty, which the act encourages,
right?
I know Police want my leave balance most employers, Police included,
Don’t be afraid of a leave plan! to be low, but I want to accrue leave require staff to have the day off unless
Remember, they are a “living before I retire in December. My they are absolutely needed. Take the
document” and an element of anniversary date is December 12, day off and enjoy the time with your
flexibility is required. Leave plans also which is when I want to exit, and my friends and family!
mean you can turn your mind to how balance will be up around 67 days by
best to utilise your leave entitlements then. Can I accumulate my leave over
over the year. Having your leave plan the 50-day maximum or do I need to Dear Aunty
entered into MyPolice allows Police get my balance down? I’ve applied for a professional
to consider and approve or decline
I love a person with a plan! If you feel development opportunity and
your request and, therefore, gives you
comfortable about it, it’s always a good have been told that if I want to be
the ability to make appropriate plans
idea to let your supervisor know your considered, I need to reduce my leave
around your leave.
intentions for your leave and, in this balance to fewer than 30 days. Can
case, your impending exit. Your leave Police do this?
balance can go over the 50 days as long No, absolutely not! Under the Code of
Dear Aunty as your “leave entitlement” segment Conduct (which applies to everyone
Last year I was told my leave needed to of it is 50 days or below and the rest in Police), the Commissioner has an
be below 40 days by June 30. This year, of your balance is made up of “leave obligation to “provide the opportunity
they say it has to be below 30 days by accruing”. For example, on December for development and enhancement
June 30. I’m sick of it! Everyone knows 11, your leave balance could look like of individual abilities”. Police cannot
our rights under the CEA – what can I this: 50 days’ leave entitlement from withhold this obligation where
do to get Police to stop? December 12, 2017, plus 25 days’ members are exercising their rights
Every year! Can they please change annual leave accrued during 2018, under their respective collective
the record to align with the collective plus two DDOs, equals a total balance agreement. You should contact your
employment agreement! I suggest of 77 days. Police will want to know local Association field officer asap.
MARCH 2018 | 15NOTEBOOK
Leave accruing is the leave you have Although 50 days’ leave should not be if your balance is more than 50 days (not
accumulated since your anniversary date. treated as a target, it is an entitlement including your leave accrued balance).
If this leaves remain unused by your next under the collective. A direction to take leave should be a
anniversary date, it becomes your leave For all Police staff, accumulated leave can last resort and a reasonable employer will
entitlement. For example, on October 15, be a combination of annual leave, statutory discuss options with you before a directive
2017, you started accruing leave and any holidays, Commissioner’s holidays, shift is given. The best way of avoiding such a
unused leave before October 15, 2018, workers leave, toil and DDOs (deferred
directive is to have a leave plan so your
will be your leave accruing. After October days off). Constabulary employees can
supervisor knows your intention for your
15, 2018, any unused leave becomes your also include PCT (physical competency
leave balance.
leave entitlement. test) leave.
The Holidays Act also allows an employer
Although the Police system does not Your leave accumulation limit can be
separate out your leave entitlement and to have a “close-down” period (eg, the
made up of a single type of leave or
your leave accruing balances, it is important several types. Christmas-New Year period), but if a
when establishing your maximum 50 days closedown period is scheduled, Police must
of leave because this accumulation does Although leave can be accumulated, give employees at least 14 days’ notice.
not include leave accrued. the intention is that you use it for rest The Holidays Act also says annual leave
and recreation as part of managing your should be taken on a mutually agreed
How much leave can I
health and safety. You should aim to date and an employee’s leave request
accumulate? take some, if not most, of your leave in should not be unreasonably declined. It is
Employees do not have to take their whole the year it is accumulated. That said, it important for recording purposes that you
leave entitlement in one year. Under their is reasonable to accumulate leave for apply for leave even when you believe it will
respective collective agreements, members a specific purpose such as an overseas be declined. This will show your intention
can hold a balance of 50 days without trip, family visiting, a sports tournament to manage your leave balance and may be
approval from Police. or a convention. This should be covered
helpful if you are subsequently directed to
This means that before your next in your leave plan so Police knows your
anniversary date, you can have a balance take leave.
leave is being managed.
of 50 days’ leave. The day after your
anniversary date, your leave balance is then Can I be directed to be
made up of the two leave types – leave
Can I be directed under a certain leave
entitlement and leave accruing. to take leave? limit by June 30?
For example: You have 50 days’ leave on Under the Holidays Act, an employee can
As stated earlier, every employee has
your anniversary date of October 15, 2017 be told to take leave that is 12 months’ old
their own leave year, which means
(leave entitlement); by March 2018 you or older if agreement can’t be reached
have accrued another 10 days leave (leave between the employee and the employer that, unless your anniversary date is
accruing); your total leave balance is 60 over when leave is to be taken. June 30, that date has no relevance to
days. This complies with the CEA as long as However, because your collective your leave planning. Your collective
your leave balance is at or below 50 days agreements provide a greater agreement allows you to hold a 50-day
by your next anniversary date of October entitlement for leave balances accumulation of leave aligned with your
15, 2018. (50 days), Police can make you take leave anniversary date.
16 | MARCH 2018Everything you never knew about our Holiday Home destinations
cards from...
Post
PARAPARAUMU
Monuments and memorials
O
ur Lady of the World War II, when up to 20,000 Americans The Kāpiti US Marines Trust is working
Immaculate were stationed in the area to train and with Great Wellington Regional Council
Conception, who recuperate… and run off with our women. to complete the Yankee Trail walkway,
stands watch over the good Up to 500 marines married Kiwi women, connecting the sites of all three camps.
people of Paraparaumu, prompting even more worries about the Queen Elizabeth Park has many easy
has been astounding and invading “bedroom commandos”. walkways and bike trails.
confusing travellers passing The marines were enormously popular,
through the Kāpiti Coast boosting the local economy and hosting
town for many years. well-attended baseball games, which were
The 14-metre high, white- a novelty in New Zealand.
painted wooden statue was The memorial is an unusual construction
erected 60 years ago by the of hut facades each bearing historical
Catholic Church to mark the information. In November, a fully restored
100th anniversary of the apparitions of the marines’ hut – one of more than 1500 built
Virgin Mary in Lourdes, France. At the base for the three camps – was opened on the
of the statue are the famous words said site, featuring props and videos to give a
to have been spoken by Mary during one flavour of life in the camps. Discarded bottles retrieve
d from the camp
of the apparitions: “I am the Immaculate sites tell the story… a sma
ll American
beer bottle, a Coca-Cola
Conception”. bottle marked
“San Diego, Calif”, a soft
drink bottle from
It was intended that she remain in Thompson and Lewis,
Wellington, and a
place for only one year, but Our Lady has standard New Zealand
beer bottle.
become an enduring landmark above State
Highway 1 at Paraparaumu, prompting
countless awkward family conversations Paraparaumu
about “conception”.
With 17 bulbs illuminating her halo after
dusk, Our Lady is said to help guide fishing
The Police Association has one home in
boats at night. She also features an internal
Paraparaumu ($70 a night), located close to
staircase (necessary to change those bulbs).
the seafront, that sleeps up to eight people.
Each year, on or around February 11 (the
It has a TV, DVD player, washing machine,
Feast of our Lady of Lourdes), locals and
dryer, shower, bath, spare blankets, pillows,
visitors make a pilgrimage from the nearby en Elizabeth Park.
The Marines Memorial at Que spare stretcher, port-a-cot, radio, high
St Patrick’s Church to the statue, but you
chair, radio and a secure garage.
can visit at other times of the year. A legacy of this period can also be found
From up there, you can get a good view at Paekākāriki’s Tarawa St, named after
of Kāpiti Island, the famous bird sanctuary, one of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific.
which you can arrange to visit for a day trip American author Leon Uris was one of the
or overnight stay (kapitiislandnaturetours. marines camped at Paekākāriki and drew
co.nz). on his experiences there for his first novel,
Just south of Paraparaumu, at Queen Battle Cry.
Elizabeth Park, is the United States Marines The memorial includes a sculptural tribute
Memorial commemorating the “friendly to 10 servicemen who drowned off the
invasion” of US Marines in 1942 during Kāpiti Coast in 1943 during a landing.
MARCH 2018 | 17You can also read
