Confidence in Superintendent

A comprehensive and thorough review of the management practices of the former District Commander of the Bay of Plenty District clearly supported Superintendent Smith’s suitability to carry out senior roles in the organisation, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Rob Pope said today.

“The review by Peter Cullen, one of New Zealand’s top employment law specialists, concluded that the District Commander did not engage in any managerial behaviour considered belittling. It found that Mr Smith contributed positively to the good working atmosphere of the District Headquarters. This has also been verified by two positive engagement survey results.

“The Cullen report noted that the BOP District Commander engaged in many proactive and positive management practices over and above those mandated nationally.

“The report by Mr Cullen gave me every confidence to make the appointment of Mr Smith to the London Liaison Officer job which he now holds,” said Mr Pope.

The Deputy Commissioner said there had never been a settlement relating to alleged sexual harrassment by Superintendent Smith and there are no unresolved matters relating to him involving New Zealand Police.

“Sustained attacks on Mr Smith’s integrity by the Dominion Post were trading on the fact that issues of an employment nature are often subject to confidentiality to protect the interests of everyone involved. Police are obligated to maintain confidentiality in such matters and this limits the ability to place information in the public domain.

“The fact is that District Commanders are in charge of large enterprises in their own right and over the course of many years in the role criticisms are levelled at individual managers by people who have differing perspectives.

“It is unfair to pillory a hard working member of NZ Police whose actions have been subject to due process at each step of the way,” said Mr Pope.