A shot in the arm

I think we have been fairly patient around the whole Covid thing, considering the disruptions to our lives – eg, staff rostered in MIQs and shifts changed at short notice to provide staff for checkpoints – but what is the issue with the delay in police getting vaccinated?

I see Defence has already vaccinated 8800 staff, most of whom will never see an MIQ facility, and many of them have had two jabs, but Police is just starting to roll out the jab to the 1700-odd staff who might end up attending, or being posted to, an MIQ.

There seems to be some confusion on where the rest of police stand in the pecking order. Are we with the general population or with emergency services, which, last time I looked, I thought we are a key component of?

I certainly hope the rumour I’ve heard that social workers and mental health workers will get the jab before frontline police staff is just another Covid conspiracy theory and we can all expect a shot in the arm very soon. I would hate to see the mess if 20 per cent of New Zealand Police were hit by the virus.

Look out for each other

On the subject of Defence, I was surprised to see in the results of a Police Association survey on PTSD that cops have bigger problems than the military. When you think about it, though, we do deal with a lot of ugly stuff very regularly. I have to say, it is good to hear people talking about it a lot more and the “take a concrete pill” attitude is far less prevalent.

A survey is fine, but what is going to happen with it and what can we all do to help each other?

The survey highlighted the risks of one-, two- and three-person stations and, given how these work, the staff there are probably the most likely to hide their issues, so let’s make sure we are looking after each other and don’t be too proud to ask for help.

Gun data

I see gangs are shooting at each other in the posh parts of Auckland and everyone is surprised and shocked. I don’t know why. Cops will tell you this is happening right around the country and the association has been yelling it from the treetops for a while.

How about some solid data on where the guns are coming from? I think we all know, but with 1800-odd guns seized last year, Police should be able to identify a sufficient number to prove whether it’s theft or dodgy licence holders supplying gangs. Either way, where is that gun register?

Kia kaha and stay safe.

Constable Iam Keen