Quarterly Summary - March 2010

Recommendations 14, 39 and 58 were completed in this quarter. This means 18 of the original 48 for which Police is responsible have yet to be completed.

Recommendation 14

"New Zealand Police should ensure that the practice of providing investigating officers with a reminder of the standards for complaint investigation is applied consistently throughout the country."

This Recommendation is now complete. A specific 'investigation standards' policy has been created which encompasses the relevant general instructions. The policy has been extensively consulted and covers both Investigative Standards and Complaints. Ongoing dialogue continues with the investigations and review team at the IPCA. The technical solution (IAPro) for recording and managing complaints against Police has been implemented. Ongoing adherence to R14 will continue to be monitored by PNHQ and the IPCA who will conduct regular audits of compliance.

Recommendation 39

"New Zealand Police should amend its Sexual Harassment Policy to include a requirement that any mediated resolution of a complaint of sexual harassment be finalised in writing and signed by both parties."

The Policy is now in place (Discrimination and Harassment Policy). It has been revised to apply to all forms of harassment and allows for parties to attend mediation where the harassment is at a low level and it is within the powers of the wrong doer to remedy e.g. through an apology. Under the policy, all mediation settlements will be signed by the parties and by the mediator so that they are full, final and binding.

Extensive revisions were made after consulting internally and with service organisations. Revisions have also ensured that the Code of Conduct is appropriately referenced.

Recommendation 58

"New Zealand Police should rationalise the projects and initiatives currently in train (including those started in response to this Commission of Inquiry into Police Conduct, and the review of the Police Act 1958) and any further projects arising out of the Government's response to this report, to ensure that overlaps between projects are addressed, interdependencies are identified, priorities are assigned, and adequate resources are made available to do the work. New Zealand Police should address these issues in its annual statement of intent, and consult with the Minister of Police in respect of the priority to be given to projects."

The interdependencies between recommendations have been identified, logical work streams confirmed and COI Recommendations have been prioritised. A review of projects and initiatives identified in Appendix 4, Volume 2 of the Commission of Inquiry Report into Police Conduct has been completed and the one outstanding initiative relating to commendation letters has been completed.