Media Releases
Shooting Death, Wounding Of Police Officers
"The news that a police officer has been slain and another officer wounded in a deliberate, cold-blooded shooting is absolutely devastating," said President of the New Zealand Police Association, Greg O'ConnorMilton Incident Shows Tasers Can't Come Soon Enough
A serious incident yesterday in Milton where a man threatened police with a tomahawk and a log-splitting axe highlights the urgent need for Tasers, Police Association Southern Region Director Tracey Maclennan said today.Iron-Willed Triathlete Scoops Up NZ Police Association Police Sportsperson Of The Year
When Constable Jeff McGrath, a New Plymouth-based youth aid officer first saw the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii on TV, he wondered whether a chumpy guy from where he lived, could ever be successful enough to compete with the best on the world stage in this grueling 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile marathon run over extremely challenging terrain.Taser Decision Highlights Politicisation Of Police
The decision to roll-out Tasers to police was a “no-brainer” following the success of the trial, and considering the increasing violence faced by police officers on a daily basis, and the only question is why the announcement has taken a year, Police Association President Greg O’Connor said today.Frontline Police Betrayed By Government
The decision by the Government to backtrack on assurances that they would support the status quo, which allows police officers to serve their communities as local councillors, has left police officers angry and confused, Police Association President Greg O’Connor said today.Arm Police – But Arm Them With Tasers
The big gap in Police tactical options is Tasers, not firearms availability, Police Association President Greg O’Connor said today in response to a survey showing public support for arming police.Death Of Former Police Commissioner Bob Walton
"Police officers around the country will today be mourning the passing of former Police Commissioner Bob Walton," said President of the New Zealand Police Association, Greg O'Connor
Officer Killed On Duty
"The killing of Sergeant Derek Wootton as he tried to stop a fleeing stolen vehicle in Titahi Bay early this morning is a tragedy felt by every police officer in New Zealand and their families," said President of the New Zealand Police Association, Greg O'Connor.Police Association Welcomes Verdict In Whakatane Case
"The jury’s verdict today reflects that these officers were performing a difficult and often dangerous job," Police Association President Greg O’Connor said today.Empower Police To Target Gangs
“The best response to the latest wave of gang violence is to empower police to attack gangs at every level,” Police Association President Greg O’Connor said today.Steve Fitzgerald - One Of The Genuine Good Guys
"Police in virtually every area of operation, especially in the Road Policing and Communications areas, are in shock over the death of one of the Police Administration’s good guys," said President of the New Zealand Police Association, Greg O'Connor.Move To Deter Police Officers From Being On Local Authorities Is Appalling
"Police officers are appalled by the move to effectively ban them becoming elected representatives on their local authority," said President of the New Zealand Police Association, Greg O'Connor.Acquittals Do Occur But Let’s Not Forget The Successes
"The public should have every confidence in the work the police do on their behalf. The three recent cases were very difficult cases from the very beginning, requiring a great deal of investigation and gathering of evidence with reliance on evidence from many medical and forensic experts," Police Association Vice-President Stuart Mills said today.Police Also Disappointed Over Kahui Acquittal
"Police Officers want to see justice for the cruel death of the defenceless twin Kahui babies too," Police Association Vice-President Stuart Mills said today.New Staff Must Go To Frontline
Confirmation in the Budget of funding for the third tranche of the 1000 new sworn and 250 non-sworn police promised in 2005 is welcome, but the funds must be used to boost frontline numbers, Police Association Vice-President Stuart Mills said today.Police Engagement Survey Shows ‘Good Will’ At Risk
The Police staff engagement survey shows staff good will is at risk, and this threatens Police’s ability to function as an effective organisation, Police Association President Greg O’Connor said today.Coroner’s Report Highlights Lack Of Detox Facilities
The Coroner’s report into the deaths of two men taken into Police custody highlights the failure of the health system to provide detoxification centres under the Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Act 1966, Police Association President Greg O’Connor said today.Organised Crime Agency Must Be Integrated
The new Organised and Financial Crime Agency must avoid mistakes made overseas, and ensure it is well integrated with every day policing, Police Association President Greg O’Connor cautioned today.Crime Stats Show Greater Police Presence Needed
The official crime statistics release for the 2007 calendar year shows violence continues to rise, and an increased police frontline response is needed, Police Association President Greg O’Connor said today.IPCA Report Lacks Context
The report of the Independent Police Conduct Authority into the shooting of Graeme Burton lacks sufficient context for its criticism of Police", Police Association Vice-President Chris Cahill said today.Anti-Taser Campaigners Grasping At Straws
"It is cynical and opportunistic for anti-Taser lobbyists to spin the tragic death by heart attack of Henry Bailey while being arrested to push their political agenda," Police Association President Greg O’Connor said today.Association Comment On Mangere Death
"The death of a man while being arrested in Mangere today is a tragedy, and we extend our sympathies to his family," Police Association President Greg O’Connor said todayTaser Saved Lives, Proved Value In Lower Hutt
Tasers undoubtedly saved lives and proved their value when officers were able to immediately and safely subdue an armed and enraged man who had stabbed his three young children multiple times, Police Association President Greg O’Connor said todayTaser Opponents Lack New Zealand Perspective
Opponents to New Zealand Police being issued with Taser devices are ignoring the realities of modern policing in New Zealand, Police Association President Greg O’Connor said today.South Australia Laws Turn Up Heat On Gangs
New laws announced in South Australia to outlaw criminal motorcycle gangs are not a quick fix, but they show a real determination to tackle organised crime, Police Association President Greg O’Connor said today.Taser Best Option For NZ Police
Tasers are clearly the best less-than-lethal force option for New Zealand Police, and video footage of a man dying after being tasered and arrested by Canadian police has no bearing on that assessment, Police Association Vice-President Stuart Mills said today.New Zealand Let Down By ‘Incoherent’ Law
“New Zealanders have been let down by ‘incoherent’ law, and Police action to protect the public against what the Solicitor-General described as ‘very disturbing activities’ has been jeopardised as a result,” Police Association President Greg O'Connor said today.Association Welcomes Survey Result On “Terror” Arrests
The Police Association has welcomed publication of a UMR Research survey which shows just 13% of New Zealanders think police over-reacted and acted inappropriately in making arrests on alleged firearms and related offences, Police Association President Greg O’Connor said today.Police Association President Re-Elected
The Police Association’s 72nd Annual Conference today re-elected incumbent Greg O’Connor as President for a further 3-year term.Raids “Reality Check” For Complacent Kiwis
“The major police operation behind yesterday’s raids is reality check for those New Zealanders who dismiss the threat of home-grown terrorism as laughable,” Police Association President Greg O'Connor said today.
