It’s not just about a chicken

Ian Wishart makes a worthwhile point on his blog, that while everyone is laughing about the policeman and the chicken, it is about far more than that.

According to the same sources (former officers) who were correct about the bestiality video, they are alleging a police cover up of a paedophilia ring, of police gang rapes, of Class A drug use, of killing a cat and chopping it up onto a BBQ, and corrupt dealing with brothels.

Now I have no idea if these allegations are correct or not. The video one has turned out to be. I can understand the media not wanting to publish the other allegations until they have investigated them, but please don’t anyone say they are not serious enough to be investigated.

The article has named half a dozen police and political figures. The media has the duty to put the allegations to them and not accept “no comment” for a response. I, like many, do not know if what is alleged has happened. I would like the truth to come out.

But turning back just to the video, I do wonder if the Police Commissioner still gets it, even today. Look at this story in the Dominion Post:

Mr Broad said the incident reflected another time in police culture. If it happened today, he said he would expect it to be discussed with the officer’s supervisor and “some internal action taken”.

Umm this reeks of the double standards of the 1980s. Have a discussion, and internal action. Let us be clear about this. Bestiality videos are illegal. The penalties [under current NZ law] depending on what you do with them range up to ten years jail. The correct response from the Commission should be “If it happened today the police officer who possessed and/or showed the video would be charged”.

Greg O’Connor also fails to make the distinction when he says:

“The reality is, if watching a pornographic video in the 1970s and 80s were a bar to holding higher office, there would be very few people eligible.”

Again let us be clear. Watching most porn is perfectly legal, and yes many many people have done it. But pornography which involves rape of children, rape of animals or rape or torture of other adults is illegal and a serious criminal offence. And most NZers have not watched such stuff.

But again at the end of the day, the video is not the important issue. It is the other allegations that need to be rebutted on the record by those accused (and if they have been defamed they should sue for defamation), or an official inquiry of some sort needs to occur.