The Police report

Kate Chapman has a summary at Stuff:

Police Commissioner Howard Broad has hit back at a damning report into police culture, saying it looks “like a huge slapping”.

Well that is because it is Howard.

Ms Collins said yesterday that outgoing Commissioner Howard Broad had implemented a lot of changes, but “pockets of resistance” still needed to be tackled.

“Those are areas where the incoming commissioner [Peter Marshall] will be wanting to address.”

Mr Marshall starts in April.

Marshall, having headed up an overseas force for a few years, is in an ideal position to come in and make some changes.

Another problem area was rostering, with a graph of staff on duty in 2007 showing heavy staffing early in the week and fewer over the weekend when crime and demand were at their highest.

“It is appalling to think that, back in 2007 … there were more police officers on duty on a Monday night than … on a Saturday night,” Ms Collins said.

Hopefully that has changed or is about to.

Among the report’s findings were:

No action over poor-performing senior staff at police headquarters.

Police files revealed “highly inappropriate behaviour” by staff which was worthy of dismissal but received only a warning.

Rosters based on staff needs, not risk and demand.

Many staff felt the wrong people were sometimes given senior roles.

Wide inconsistency in the abilities of area commanders.

Little confidence in the detection of any concerning staff behaviour.

The commission of inquiry lacked impact as a driver of change.

Police need to implement “basic management concepts”.

That a pretty damning list. The inconsistency in the ability of area commanders has been there for a long time – you have a few good ones, but also a few who really are not up to it.