Deputy Commissioner Rob Pope has announced he will retire at the end of his term in April 2011.
Mr Pope said he advised the Commissioner of his intention to retire several weeks ago but informed staff yesterday.
In a statement released to staff he said:
I have informed the Commissioner of my intention to retire from New Zealand Police at the end of my term in April 2011. This date coincides with the completion of my statutory appointment for 5 years as Deputy Commissioner: Operations. I will not be reapplying for this position.
For the past 5 years our organisation has experienced a period of significant challenge and change, during which I have felt privileged to have supported Commissioner Broad and his strategic vision. Police is well positioned to positively move forward as a result of the platform laid in recent years. I am proud to have led and implemented, on the Commissioner's behalf, many key change initiatives, particularly:
• Developing the Police programme and framework for progression of the recommendations in response to the Commission of Inquiry into Police Misconduct;
• The National Intelligence Model;
• The Organised and Financial Crime Agency of NZ (OFCANZ);
• Designing and establishing the Policing Excellence programme and framework;
• Rolling out SRBA;
• Meeting critical government law and order priorities in relation to serious and organised crime, and drug offending;
• Implementing the additional 300 staff and a new crime prevention policing model for Counties Manukau;
• Building Police capability around emergent crime trends such as cyber crime and online child exploitation;
• Strengthening Police's focus on financial crime investigations and proceeds of crime.
After 36 years service I still retain the enthusiasm for, and believe in the qualities of New Zealand Police which make us such a unique and universally respected organisation. I have, after careful reflection over the Christmas/New year period, concluded that in the interests of Police it would be appropriate to allow the new administration to determine the way forward as it sees fit.
This decision will also allow me to pursue other career opportunities.
Finally, I wish to acknowledge and thank all Police staff: frontline, employees and executive who have assisted, supported and followed me over my career. It has been a wonderful journey, made all the more memorable because of the people that make up this great Police organisation.
ENDS