Guest speakers during the three-day event from October 15 to 17 include representatives from Axon, the Privacy Commission and Corrections. They will focus on this year’s conference theme, which is Tech on the front line: Body-worn cameras in the Kiwi context.

Another key feature of the event will be the election of a new president after Chris Cahill confirmed that, after nine years, he is not seeking re-election.

The nominees for president are Emiel Logan, Paul Ormerod and Steve Watt. Profiles of the three candidates can be found once logged into the Police Association’s website. 

A video interview with each candidate will be recorded in early September and also posted on the website. Media is a dominant feature of the president’s role, so the videos will provide delegates/committees with an opportunity to view the candidates in this medium. Members are urged to provide feedback to their area committee on the merits of candidates. 

Committee members will be able to hear from the candidates at six regional election forums (a Teams meeting invite will be sent to committee members who cannot attend in person). 

• Dunedin: 9.30am, September 11, Dunedin Leisure Lodge
• Christchurch: 10am, September 12, Commodore Hotel
• Auckland: 10am, September 17, North Shore Policing Centre
• Rotorua: 10am, September 18, Arawa Hotel
• Palmerston North: 9.30am, September 19, Distinction Coachman Hotel
• Wellington: 2pm, September 19, Theatre 1, Royal New Zealand Police College 

Emiel, Paul and Steve will each have up to 10 minutes of speaking time at the forums and then 15 minutes for questions.

On the afternoon of day one of the 2025 conference, the trio will have a final opportunity to present to delegates and take part in a Q&A session. Voting will take place after these and will continue until a candidate secures a 51% majority. Delegates’ votes are weighted according to how many members they represent. 

National secretary

Association president Chris Cahill recently confirmed that delegates voted unanimously to appoint employment relations manager Erin Polaczuk as National Secretary, effective August 28.

Erin replaces Greg Fleming, who finished up with the association at the end of August after 38 years. 
 

“It has been a smooth transition from Greg to Erin, and she looks forward to meeting delegates in person during the September regional meetings to hear from the candidates for president,” Chris says. 

Annual meetings

Three annual meetings will be held on day one of the association’s annual conference, October 15:

• Police Credit Union, 9am-10am
• Police Association, 11am start
• Police Welfare Fund, 12.45pm-1.30pm