Report on Police too narrow - O'Connor

Greg O'Connor. Photo / Supplied

A report into police culture change is too narrowly focused and could end up being counter-productive, Police Association president Greg O'Connor says.

The independent report in police conduct by PricewaterhouseCoopers, released last night, found change had not happened fast enough, as "senior management lacks the confidence and adeptness to make bold, circuit-breaking and symbolic moves that will change the DNA of the organisation".

It found there was a feeling senior management was "out of touch" with the pressures faced by frontline staff.

Mr O'Connor said many of the complaints had come from people who had not received promotions within the police force.

"I know a lot of that criticism, I know the people who have made it, [people] who blame the agenda, sometimes their race, on the fact they have not advanced in the organisation," he told Radio New Zealand.

"I know who has spoken to those people and often it is their own incompetence that they have not risen in the organisation and that criticism will be repeated in reports like this."

Mr O'Connor said there had already been "significant change", and police were too busy with regular police work.

"The nature of our beast is the work is always coming in the door," he said. "It would be nice to do all these things we have to do, however what we have to do is our day job of making New Zealand safe.

"If you try and come in overnight and make revolutionary change you might get better reports, but you won't get better policing."

He said the report could end up being counter-productive.

"Our officers, not only police officer but civilians working for the police, they will end up basically wearing this criticism and ultimately it will end up affected their performance."

Mr O'Connor said Price Waterhouse Coopers failed to "understand what the police do".

"When you come in to do a review like this you've got to actually look at the broad aspect of what's happening at the whole organisation and they simply do not."

Mr O'Connor's sentiments were shared by Police Commissioner Howard Broad.

"The report did not go into as much detail for those people that spoke incredible well about our organisation as it did about those who have something negative to say," he told Radio New Zealand.

Mr Broad said the report misunderstood the nature of the organisation and also rejected concerns change was happening too slowly.

"It is going to take relentless and long term commitment to do that," he said. "It will take time, we are a big huge organisation."

Mr Broad, who is due to retire from the position in April, was comfortable with his performance during his tenure in the role.

"I have responded to that severe challenge that came through the Commission of Inquiry, I've put in place all of the foundations for change and I'm leading them through now.

"I have no doubt it will happen. Someone else will ride the crest of the wave that I've commenced."

- NZHERALD STAFF