KEY POINTS:
New Zealand police, stung by harsh criticism in Dame Margaret Bazley's inquiry report, are setting up an employment relations team to address the report's recommendations.
The report by the Commission of Inquiry into Police Conduct, released on April 3, found police management lacked the policies, procedures and practices to deal effectively with incidents of sexual misconduct by officers.
It found evidence of "disgraceful" sexual behaviour by some officers over the past 25 years and made 60 recommendations which are going to be implemented.
On the report's release Police Commissioner Howard Broad apologised "unreservedly and unequivocally" to women caught up in the sexual misconduct of police officers, and the battle to restore the image of police began.
He and Police Minister Annette King immediately announced that a key recommendation by Dame Margaret -- a code of conduct for sworn officers -- was already under way.
Today, police announced that a new team of employment relations staff would be established soon to address the recommendations made in the report.
The team will put in place a disciplinary and performance management process, underpinned by a code of conduct covering all staff, human resources general manager Wayne Annan said.
"The team will be charged with driving a number of initiatives that will see the organisation shift from an offence based system to a professional development and management system... what this means is that NZ Police will be able to deal with issues (like complaints from the public) in a much more timely and open manner," Mr Annan said.
It is envisaged the new code of conduct will allow police to receive a complaint from the public, review the issues raised, discuss the matter openly with the employee involved, then if necessary enter directly into performance monitoring or guidance, or an appropriate disciplinary process, he said.
" Complainants will be informed at particular decision points along the way and will have their concerns addressed more efficiently."
At the time the report was released, Mr Broad said he hoped the code of conduct would be in place by year's end.
He said it would specify the boundaries for sexual conduct by police officers and prohibit them from entering into any sexual contact with others over whom they held a position of authority or where there was a power differential.
Dame Margaret said in her report police needed to be vigilant to stop officers using their positions of authority to obtain sexual favours.
"Some types of sexual behaviour, although they may not constitute sexual assault, are nevertheless inappropriate for police officers," she said.
The Commissioner said he accepted the commission's findings in full.
He said the behaviour of a few men in the police was "wrong and contrary to their oath of office".
"I find it difficult to express in words my feelings about these people for they have caused immeasurable damage to a number of New Zealanders that they had sworn to protect," he said.
- NZPA
