6. Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE (Labour—Waimakariri) Link to this
to the Minister of Police
How many instances, if any, of police staff being caught drink-driving, on or off duty, has she been briefed on and on what dates were those briefings?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Police) Link to this
I have received briefings in relation to two instances where off-duty police staff were stopped for drink-driving. Those briefings were received on 12 January and 30 March this year.
Hon Clayton Cosgrove Link to this
Does she agree that those cases, together with the other three cases of staff being charged—two sworn staff and one non-sworn staff—that she mentioned in answers to written questions from me, tarnish the professional image of the police, who, on the whole, carry out their duties honourably and professionally; and does she believe that she has a responsibility to show any leadership and to take appropriate action, so that the public can have confidence that such behaviour is not condoned?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
I agree with the member that it does not help the image of the police to have these instances happen. I recall that there are over 11,000 police staff, both sworn and non-sworn. Two instances is a pretty good record when one considers the record of the previous Labour Government.
Sandra GoudieHon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
Yes, I have seen a report in the Herald on Sunday in which Clayton Cosgrove said he was “shocked” that two police officers were facing drink-driving charges. I do not recall his being shocked last year, when the police advised in June that four officers were facing charges of excess breath-alcohol levels.
Hon Clayton Cosgrove Link to this
What specific action has she taken in her role as Minister, in order to earn her pay, in regard to each of those cases, to ensure that the public maintain confidence in the police?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
I have asked the Commissioner of Police whether he felt there was any need to amend the police code of conduct, but he agreed with me, and with Annette King, who advised this House in 2007 that the code of conduct had been approved by Cabinet. I recall that that member was a member of the Labour Cabinet that approved it.
Hon Clayton Cosgrove Link to this
How does she reconcile that answer with her answers to written questions Nos 1423 and 1434, which indicate that she has not even bothered to ask the Commissioner of Police to review the code of conduct in the light of those cases, and, even more bizarrely, with her not having prepared any Cabinet papers or Cabinet committee papers since she became Minister; and does she intend to do anything—
Hon Dr Nick SmithHon Clayton Cosgrove Link to this
—it is true, because she answered the question—practical as Minister of Police to earn her pay, instead of swaggering around the country talking tough?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
Clearly, the answer is easily. I suggest that the member recall that it was his Cabinet, of which he was a member, that chose to agree to the police code of conduct—and that was just over 1 year ago. For goodness’ sake, he should do his homework before he comes down to the House.
Hon Clayton Cosgrove Link to this
I know that this is slightly unusual, but I seek leave to table the answers to the two parliamentary written questions that I read out—
Mr SPEAKERI guess I am obliged to put that leave, since it has been sought, but to table the answers to parliamentary questions that are on the public record is not consistent with the advice of the Standing Orders Committee. I am—
Hon Clayton Cosgrove Link to this
Mr Speaker, I agree with you absolutely, but the Minister said, in contradiction to the answers to the written questions, that she had asked the Commissioner of Police.