Policing Amendment Bill will restore right to stand for council

The Police Association today welcomed the introduction of a Bill to restore the democratic right of police officers to stand for election to their local council.

Under the Policing Act 2008, police constables are barred from serving on local authorities while remaining a member of Police. No other State servants are required by law to resign if elected to a council.

"Police officers who run for council do so out of a sense of civic duty, and because they believe they can make a positive difference to their community. The experience and commitment they bring can greatly benefit local authorities and the people they serve,” said Police Association Vice-President Chris Cahill.

“The Prime Minister told our conference last year the Government would remove the ban, and we are very pleased to see that commitment being honoured.”

The Police Association rejected any suggestion ‘law enforcers’ face insurmountable conflicts of interest serving on local councils, which are ‘law makers’.

“With the exception of designating liquor ban areas and setting speed limits, we can think of no clear example of bylaws which would have a significant impact on operational policing. While some Acts, like the Wanganui gang patch law, give additional local bylaw powers, they are Acts of Parliament, not of the local council,” Mr Cahill said.

“Police officers have served on local councils in many parts of the country over many years. Potential conflicts should be managed through clear council disclosure rules, secondary employment rules and the Police Code of Conduct – not by singling police out through a blanket ban.

“We welcome this Bill’s introduction, and look now to Parliament to move with some urgency to ensure it is passed in time for this year’s local body elections,” Mr Cahill said.