Within Police, raising concerns about serious wrongdoing in the workplace is safeguarded under the Protected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Act 2022. This recognises the importance of good faith disclosures about wrongdoing, and encourages transparency, accountability and prevention of corruption.

Leaking details of an ongoing investigation is not whistleblowing.

Over the nine years I have been in my role, I have watched a steady escalation in the number of leaks to media and the accompanying erosion they have caused to Police’s reputation.

The latest high-profile leak has me literally shaking my head. Ignoring the media frenzy it has created, we must ask what it says about the professionalism of those in Police. What protection can victims, witnesses and even suspects expect when such inappropriate disclosures come with all manner of innuendo and potentially pseudo allegations?

Throughout my decades in Police, I conducted many sensitive investigations. I know the damage leaked material could have caused. I would have had no qualms about investigating the breach itself, and I expect this to happen in this current case.

Underlying this situation that is saturating the news, we must still abide by the right to natural justice, irrespective of whether we sympathise or empathise with an alleged offender or not. 

A second facet of this subject is a trend to leak information on internal employment investigations. This is not whistleblowing. It is the practice of the selfish saboteur, often driven by personal gain at the expense of others.

I know of bullying allegations being made to settle grievances and then leaked to media, who lap up the reports irrespective of their credibility. Recently, I saw a wonderful man subjected to such an assault on his reputation. He was never shown the allegations against him and Police never investigated them.

Some leakers may have a legitimate grievance but laundering it through the media is no more acceptable than the behaviour behind the grievance itself.

These scenarios reflect poorly on the professionalism of both the media and Police institutions.

Police criminal investigations – whether internal or external – should be kept as tight as a drum to protect the rights of victims, witnesses and the accused. All Kiwis have a right to expect that this standard is preserved.

Within Police, it is at the heart of its professional, integrity and empathy values.

I suggest that a check-in with those values would benefit the reputation of all.