Police Commissioner Howard Broad says the force has turned a corner towards blanket intolerance of poor performance and sexual misconduct, despite a report criticising its bosses as lacking courage and - according to one officer - living in "bullshit castle".
The independent report by PricewaterhouseCoopers, released last night, follows a warning from Police Minister Judith Collins this month to senior officers to speed up culture change.
Over at Kiwiblog, DPF summarises the report's conclusions, and they do not reflect well on Broad's leadership.
New Commissioner Peter Marshall has a big job ahead of him when he supplants Broad in April. That he has been working out of New Zealand for the last few years will be advantageous to him; he can come in with less baggage than a local senior officer might have, tainted as they are by the PWC report. Those who have worked with Marshall in the past speak very highly of him, and we reckon that Police Minister Judith Collins has chosen well.
And in the time in which we have been blogging this, Stuff has reported that there will be a new Deputy Commissioner as well; Rob Pope has announced his intention to retire at the same time that Broad steps down. Whether the timing of Pope's announcement is related to the PWC report, or whether the timing is merely a coincidence is a moot point.
Peter Marshall has a big job ahead of him to restore the integrity of the New Zealand Police. And Howard Broad will not be remembered as one of our great Police Commissioners. That is his legacy.
3 comments:
His legacy?
He will be remembered as Clark's lap dog. The man who conflated the words 'prosecution of a Labour Party member' into 'not in the public interest.'
Agreed AF. Politicians select the commissioner. Broard has never looked like a leader. His inept handling of mine closure announcement the other day was a perfect example.
Procrastination and indecision are hallmarks of his period at the top. The stab proof vests,the peppers spray, the tazers, all took years after a successful trial to authorise and then the implementation was full of faults. So far he has spent months on authorising the carriage of firearms and it is doubtful that he will make any decision...I am sorry for Pope an experienced and dedicated detective who seems to be collateral damage... I agree Marshall seems a good choice. He deserves a period of grace and every support.
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