Dob in mates only if leaks malicious says senior cop

Counties Manukau police are still being encouraged to dob in their colleagues who pass information to the media - but they must first decide if the leak was "malicious and mischievous".

District Commander Superintendent Steve Shortland has labelled staff who speak anonymously to media as "traitors" and suggested they did it for money, a free lunch, sex or out of stupidity.

Mr Shortland made the comments in an internal newsletter and highlighted a Herald story about problems with the chain of command during a night of "mayhem" in South Auckland and Meremere.

It was published on February 11, around a time there had been several media reports about police priorities surrounding crime and traffic duties.

The information was passed to the newspaper by someone who said they felt it was "necessary" to speak up because there was "a common criticism from the public and from within the police about Highway Patrol and Strategic Traffic Units".

Mr Shortland yesterday said his comments were aimed at "a small number of officers who maliciously and scurrilously leak information ... "

He said an inquiry into the incident reported by the Herald had found the matter had been blown out of proportion.

Mr Shortland said he had no problems with staff who were authorised to make releases or wrote letters outlining genuine concerns within the police.

The issue of "whistle blowing" was an entirely separate matter, he said.

New Zealand First MP Ron Mark criticised Mr Shortland and the "intemperate language" used in the newsletter.

"What gives the commander the right to bully and abuse someone for alerting the public to something they did not think was right?" said Mr Mark.