Photos of police officer wearing gang patch spark controversy days after ban; Police Minister Mark Mitchell weighs in

Images of a police officer wearing a gang patch have emerged only three days after the controversial gang patch ban came into force, with police and the minister admitting the photos are “disappointing”.

Two photographs of a police officer wearing a vest with the Mangu Kaha gang patch visible have been shared with the Herald and widely circulated online.

The officer appears to be posing for the camera, giving a front and back display of the vest worn on top of his blue police uniform.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell described the photos as disappointing, but said police would take the incident seriously.

“I’ve been advised the officer has come forward to take responsibility, and that the image is understood to have been taken in June.

“I’m sure the officer involved is feeling terrible about letting his colleagues down.”

Mitchell said police would go through an “internal process” to determine what further action will be taken.

While the photos were disappointing, he was “very pleased overall” with how police have been enforcing the Gangs Act.

Images of a police officer wearing a gang vest have gone viral on social media.

Many people expressed dismay at the photos on social media.

“How is that making the community safer? They’re making fun of the gangs,” one person said.

Another social media user said, “So why can they wear gang insignia but I can’t?”

Some commentators said the images showed double standards, as police have just started arresting people for wearing patches this week.

The new offence carries a fine of up to $5000 or six months’ imprisonment.

In a statement this afternoon, Assistant Commissioner Paul Basham said police were aware of the images “showing a police officer wearing a gang patch in an office”.

“New Zealand Police sets high standards for its officers and this behaviour falls well short of expectations, and is disappointing.

“The officer pictured has come forward to take responsibility, and the image is understood to have been taken several months ago.”

A policeman is seen to be wearing a gang patch in this video. Photo / Supplied

Basham said police will be making inquiries to understand the full circumstances, before looking at what action may be taken.

Director of Ihi Research Dr Catherine Leonard said the photos were “problematic and will perpetuate the cycle of distrust.”

A report on “Police interactions with Gang communities” by Ihi Research found that the new patch laws may undermine progress in building trust between gangs and police, without reducing crime rates.

“Our evidence shows the need for a relational policing approach.

“That’s free from antagonism, builds trust and mutual respect between police and gang communities,” Leonard said.

Leonard recognised extensive training would be required to address the root causes of gang affiliation.

“What is needed is consistent, respectful, and empathetic interactions, recognising the humanity of gang families, and avoiding the use of excessive force and dehumanising practices.”

Gang members have warned of the potential for violence to “erupt” as the new laws are enforced.

Police Assistant Commissioner Paul Basham.

Black Power life member Denis O’Reilly said he felt apprehensive about how the police raids would be carried out.

“If someone does get caught, it’ll be expected that they defend their patch, so who knows what will eventuate,” O’Reilly said, the day before the law came into effect.

“I think there are probably policemen who are salivating at the thought of midnight and ready to engage in some score settling ... I think some particularly younger gang members, will gleefully accept their challenge. So I’m worried about that.”

Police revealed on Friday they had made 11 gang patch arrests in the first 24 hours of the ban.

Police publicly announced they had arrested and charged a man “outside a residential address” for wearing a Mangu Kaha patch in Papakura on Thursday.

“The 51-year-old man initially refused to turn over his patch to police, however did so following further conversations with the officers.

“He was arrested and charged with displaying gang insignia in a public place,” Basham said earlier.

The man is scheduled to appear in Papakura District Court on November 28.

Police made another announcement about “Operation Nickel”, the enforcement of breaches by gangs, today.

“There have been two arrests in Eastern District and a range of activity around the country as police continue to respond to reported breaches of the Gangs Act.”

Basham said overall there were good levels of compliance with the new gang patch laws, and “actions taken in the past few days show police will not hesitate to take enforcement action when there are clear breaches”.

Jaime Lyth is a multimedia journalist for the New Zealand Herald, focusing on crime and breaking news. Lyth began working under the NZ Herald masthead in 2021 as a reporter for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei.