Police Act Review Wiki | PolicingAct2008 / Commissioner May Set Standards Of Behaviour

Police officers of the Aotearoa/New Zealand Police Force should adhere to the highest standards of behaviour both on and off duty as they are an example to everyday citizens
Standards of behaviour shouldn't be over moralistic and should respect cops off duty privacy. How cops want to behave when off the clock is their business as long as it isn't with people they encounter when on the clock
A separate Police Code of Conduct shall be established. This should be agreed to by every officer. Remuneration shall take this restriction on the private life of a police officer into account
To enhance the public perception of Police a separate Police Complaints Authority and Police disciplinary body shall be established separate from the Police Service. It is expected that this body will comprise of seconded senior police officers, justices of the peace, and other appointed persons from the community

Comment

Police need to be protected from being persecuted by carefully edited video that makes them look like thugs. They need to be protected against pedantic expectations especially in the use of force. They are humans and when confronted with violence are at serious risk of being killed. The last thing they need is to be persecuted for a bit of an overreaction when the adrenalin kicks in.

The police will always be targets of fabricated stories aimed at discrediting them. While claims need to be taken seriously the commissioner must investigate thoroughly and impartially while at the same time appreciating that disinformation against the police and its staff as a tactic used by the enemies of the law.

Alternative views

Code of Conduct

1. Duty of care to the Public: -

a. A member of the New Zealand Police shall at all times have a duty of care as a responsible officer in regard to the health & safety of all members of the public.

i. Member of the New Zealand Police shall, for the purposes of this section, mean a sworn police officer recognised by the New Zealand College of Police Officers;

ii. Duty of care shall, for the purposes of this section, be defined as taking all reasonable steps in securing the health & safety of vulnerable members of the public including persons suffering from apparent serious mental illnesses (SMI's) and taking such action as is required to comply with the provisions under the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment & Treatment) Act 1992 in securing such care;

iii. Responsible Officer shall, for the purposes of this section, have the same plain meaning as that referred to under section 114 of the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment & Treatment) Act 1992.

Commissioner May Set Standards Of Behaviour

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