25 January 2021
IR-01-21-36137
Phillip Hart
[FYI request #17835 email]
Kia ora Phillip
Thank you for your Of icial Information Act 1982 (OIA) request dated
4 December 2021 where you requested the following information from Minister
Poto Williams:
With reference to the COVID-19 Public Health Response Amendment Act (No 2)
2021, please provide complete details of the formal process for consideration of
the class or persons enabled to assist Police with the management of Orders that
provide for restricted movements by stopping vehicles and people at roadblocks
and checkpoints.
Please detail the nomination, assessment and training processes and timeframes.
You request was transferred to Police for response on 6 December 2021.
Under any setting of the Protection Framework or any Public Health Order in
place at the time, any checkpoints, either as short-term controlled checkpoints
or random checkpoints remain solely managed and operated by police officers.
Where Police determines a need to authorise suitably qualified and trained
persons to carry out any functions or powers of an enforcement officer under
the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020 (COVID-19 Act), the following
six-stage process is undertaken:
1. Nomination – whereby organisations, including Iwi and community
agencies, nominate individuals to be considered by Police.
2. Application – nominated individuals complete an application form that
requires information around their ability to undertake the duties required
(e.g. any health vulnerabilities for the individual or their household).
3. Police vetting – applicants undertake a standard Police vetting. More
information on this process is available online here:
https:/ www.police.govt.nz/advice-services/businesses-and-
organisations/vetting
4. Assessment– each applicant is assessed on a case by case basis as
Police do for all vetting requests. Police will consider all information and
make a determination on the person’s suitability to undertake the role of
an enforcement officer.
5. Training requirements completed – all suitable persons must complete
the training requirements. Training includes:
Police National Headquarters 180 Molesworth Street, Thorndon, Wellington 6011
www.police.govt.nz
a) Health and safety – including ensuring familiarity with the risk
management plans and controls for specific checkpoint sites
b) The safe and effective use of PPE
c) Tactical communication to support safe and constructive
conversations at the roadside
d) Traffic management
e) Police’s Our Values and Our Business
6. A recommendation for appointment as an enforcement officer under the
COVID-19 Act wil be made to the Commissioner of Police.
It is estimated that this process wil take up to 1-2 weeks.
I trust this information wil be of use to you.
Ngā mihi,
Matenga Gray
Co-Director Māori – Engagement &
Operations Iwi & Community
Police National Headquarters
Document Outline
