Clowns inquiry ‘mishandled’

Press, 21 January 1982, Page 4

Clowns inquiry ‘mishandled’

PA Wellington Although skilled at internal investigations the police administration had mishandled the Red Squad-clowns incident, said the secretary of the Police Association, Dr R. A. Moodie, yesterday. He said he did not support the suggestion of an independent inquiry into the incident and said the situation was still recoverable. “There are a number of procedures still available, procedures I believe should have been used months ago.” he said.

Asked what procedures these were, he said that the investigating officers could provide witnesses with other opportunities to identify the police officers. “Those opportunities are clearly available to the administration in Auckland but they have not taken advantage of them,” he said.

Dr Moodie said that the concern of the Police Association about the case had been relayed to the former members of Red Squad.

"We've acknowledged the concern expressed by political leaders, the news media and the public over the identification parade (the run along Auckland’s waterfront). The police service itself is not happy with the way it’s been handled.” he said. Dr Moodie said he feared that some members of the former Red Squad had come under suspicion because of the failings of the police administration. “It worries me that there is so much public focus on the individuals and an onus on them to either own up or front up to an identity parade. The concern results from the failure of the investigators.”

He said he found the suggestion by the Labour member of Parliament. Mr F. D. O’ Flynn; that police should be compelled to take part in indentification parades. a very surprising statement from a senior member of the bar."

He said to force people to make admissions or to assist the prosecution in matters of

identification was looking at changing the rules in a very serious way.. "Once the legislature moves to make specific provisions for certain groups within the community then the die is cast for the rest of the community," he said. The Minister of Police (Mi> ; Couch) has backed the com-' merit by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr K. O. Thompson, that law-breaking policemen were not wanted in the force. Mr Couch said informed people knew how tough the police were on their own wrong-doers. “The truth of Mr Thompson's statement about these not being wanted in the service has often been demonstrated and, if I were going to commit a crime, I’d make sure I wasn’t a member of the police service when I did it," Mr Couch said.

The police were entitled to the same justice as the public. and “that is precisely what they will get,” he said.