Minister warns police

Press, 6 July 1985, Page 9

Minister warns police

The Christchurch police were warned yesterday about their use of the news media to air grievances about their job. The Minister of Police, Mrs Hercus, told the annual meeting of the Christchurch branch of the Police Association that it was important to make the distinction between issues that could be solved within the department and those that were of public concern. “As an activist from way back, and as a politician, I am aware that media exposure can be a useful way of spurring along some action for a cause,” she said. “At the same time I think it is important to make a distinction between issues which are essentially ‘domestic’ and which can and should be solved through normal internal channels of discussion and negotiation, and issues which have wider public implications.” Mrs Hercus said that occasionally she had felt a “genuine anxiety over the airing of what I believe are domestic police issues in the media in a way which might well be counterproductive to both the very serious efforts being made to sort out these issues through more appropriate channels, and also a positive image for the police.” Mrs Hercus said she believed in a free news media and in the right of any group or individual to air their views through the news media “and the Police Association is no exception.” “But I would hope that the media is not and never will be your primary method of communication with your Minister ... or, for that matter, with the commissioner.” Mrs Hercus also mentioned' the issue of long batons, saying that the Government did not intend to change the present rules concerning PR24 batons. The regulations gave considerable discretion to police supervising officers as to the circumstances in which batons might be carried, she said. “The commissioner’s wide circulation of this interpretation, earlier this year, of the instructions regarding carriage of PR24s has enabled, I believe, a better understanding of this sensible middle ground.” On early retirement, Mrs Hercus said it had been known before its introduc-

tion that it would bring short-term staff shortages and a difficult period of transition. However, she said she was confident that before the end of this year the bulk of the transition problems would be over. For a variety of reasons the Christchurch district was now 35 under the authorised strength of 580, she said. A minimum of 44 staff would come to Christchurch from the Police College in the next six months. A further six, of various ranks, were under notice of transfer to Christchurch. “Each district is, of

course, staffed according to its particular needs,” she said. Staff in Christchurch this year have become increasingly dissatisfied with their work and it was expected that Mrs Hercus would face lively questioning on such issues as pay, working conditions, and staffing levels. After the meeting, Mrs Hercus said she had told those present that negotiations for a wage round for the police were only a few weeks away. The police case for a wage increase was still being prepared and negotia-

tions would start soon. The pay round should be effective from November 1, she said. Mrs Hercus said that her speech had not been a negotiating one. “I did not come with a package of goodies ... I gave them some useful information.” The meeting had been “very useful, very constructive and positive,” she said. “A few minor hiccups are not going to disturb the excellent relationship I have with the association. “After all, this is my patch.”