Ref: IR-01-22-5643
14 April 2022
Maketu (Che)
[email address]
Dear Maketu (Che)
On the 26 February 2022 you sent an email request under the Official Information
Act 1982 (OIA) for the following information:
Below are my responses to each of your points.
1. Since Commissioner Coster has taken to office, to what degree of
instruction do those men and women seeking to join the Police
receive on the Code of Conduct?
As per below this is what Recruit applicants receive prior to joining the Royal New
Zaland Police College and whilst they are in attendance on a Police Recruit
Wing.
Pre Course Learning (week prior to Recruit Course)
Recruits are provided with the Code of Conduct, Self Check, Our Values during
Pre Course Training. Recruits are required to complete an E Learning Package
“Our Code” and complete a workbook with components on the Code Of Conduct
and Our Police Values alongside the Self Check.
Commissioners Address (Week one)
At the commencement of the Recruit Training course Recruits are exposed to an
introductory welcome and session with the Commissioner. This session provides
a further introduction to the Police Values.
Initial Training Leadership Address (Week one)
The Commissioner’s Address is followed up by a session with the Initial
Training leadership team where Recruits explore the Code of Conduct, Our
Values and what it means to be a member of the New Zealand Police and
the behaviour and conduct expected of employees in a Q&A type session.
Solemn Undertaking (Week one)
This session is prior to Recruits completing the Solemn Undertaking where
Recruits participate in, and sign, a solemn undertaking to “perform duties as
a New Zealand Police Employee faithfully and honestly, according to law
and uphold the Police Code of Conduct”.
This session further reinforces the introductory sessions, Pre course
learning, Commissioner’s session and the NZ Police’s E Learning Code of
Conduct training.
The Solemn Undertaking formalises the expectations to abide by the Code of
Conduct.
Assessment (Week one)
Throughout the Recruit Training course Recruits are assessed across
examinations and quizzes on key areas of the Code of Conduct, Our Values and
the Self Check.
2. Once sworn, what is the frequency of education
sessions/classes/re-visitations on the Code that a Constable must
undergo?
The Code of Conduct is a living document which is updated and sent out to all
staff. It is on line and easily accessible to staff should they wish to view the
information. The Code is frequently raised in conversation between supervisors
and staff in relation to lessons learnt and complaints raised against staff.
3. Must a Constable, whether or not in uniform, operate under said
Code?
All Police staff whether Constabulary or Employee must abide by New Zealand
Police’s Code of Conduct
4. What are the disciplinary measures taken where, as the case may
be, a Constable, whether ignorantly or otherwise, departs from
said Code & Values as set-down by the Commissioner?
This is dependent on the breach of the Code of Conduct and the severity of the
breach. Disciplinary measures range from no action, lessons learnt, training,
Restorative action, expectation setting, warnings and dismissal.
Further: It is brought to your attention that the hyperlink ‘Self-
check’ in the column 3 on page 5 under the Self-Check section of
said code is not functional and does not lead to the intended
‘Checvk’; that said, you are hereby required to disclose a complete
copy of the ‘Self-Check’ within the stipulated time under the
applicable Act.
In relation to your request for the Self-Check form I have attached a copy.
The reason you were previously unable to access this form is that it is an internal
document which is on Police’s own database and has links for Police staff to
access.
Yours sincerely
Superintendent Jason Guthrie
Director: Integrity and Conduct
SELF CHECK
Would your decision pass the SELF CHECK?
When there isn’t an obvious course of action or you’re not sure
about the best choice, use the SELF CHECK to guide your thinking.
Community
Would it withstand
Police service
Scrutiny Media and online
Our Code
Is it in line with our
Our Values
Ethics
High performing culture
Is the decision
Laws
Regulations
Lawful
Policies and guidelines
Is the decision
Community
Colleagues and whānau
Fair to all People’s individual circumstances
Document Outline