Police bars

Kate Newton in the Dom Post has an article on Police drinking culture and Police bars:

Stations built since 2005 do not have bars, but there are still 28 police bars throughout New Zealand and new stations can have beer fridges or liquor cabinets.

The price of alcohol sold at police bars varies from station to station, but is generally cheaper than at a public bar. Wellington Central police station bar sells beer for about $3 a stubbie.

Boisterous jug sessions are still a part of police culture after shifts and are used by general duties staff to unwind from the rigours of the job and to help bond the team.

The sessions usually involve “punishing” officers for minor indiscretions by forcing them to down beer.

Police Association president Greg O’Connor has defended the bars, saying they are a safer environment for police to have a few drinks than at the local pub.

I think it is unrealistic to see policing as a job where you just go home on the bus at the end of the day. Police work is often very shitty work. You are at constant risk of being assaulted. Your life can literally depend on your colleagues. You work shifts at all hours of the day and night. You are battling criminals with your colleagues, so obviously form strong bonds with them.

I have no problems that Police officers when off duty will bond over alcohol, and yes it will be quite boozy. It is unrealistic to expect much else.

What I do expect is that they will not drive home drunk. This is where the Police seem to still have a problem, with the controversy over the Superintendant who refused a breath test once he was home.

So I say to the Police – party away. But grab a taxi at the end of the day.