Police deputy commissioner to stay

‘‘This behaviour is clearly inappropriate and I expect the standard to be lifted.’’ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has accepted legal advice saying there is no clear and proper basis to remove police deputy commissioner Wally Haumaha.

Responding to an Independent Police Conduct Authority report released yesterday, which found two instances where the highranking police officer aggressively asserted authority and belittled two women staffers, Ardern said the behaviour was clearly inappropriate. ‘‘I’m very disappointed with the inappropriate behaviour attributed by the IPCA to Wally Haumaha but the solicitor-general has advised that there is not a clear and proper basis to support his removal,’’ Ardern said. ‘‘I have already sought an assurance from the police minister that the commissioner of police follows up on the issues raised in the report and ensures this Government’s expectations are met.’’

The report has been derided by Ma¯ ori leaders who work with police, and Police Minister Stuart Nash has asked commissioner Mike Bush to ensure Haumaha acts in line with police values.

Ardern, when asked if she had confidence in Haumaha, said it was a constitutional process requiring her to follow legal advice, as the position was of ‘‘constitutional importance’’.

‘‘We need to maintain independence between police and state.

‘‘This behaviour is clearly inappropriate and I expect the standard to be lifted, and the commissioner of police to do that … I expect him to work alongside Haumaha to lift his professional behaviour and meet my expectations.’’

Nash said Haumaha’s ‘‘improper and unprofessional behaviour’’ required follow-up action and it was important police learnt from it.

‘‘The behaviour identified in the IPCA report does not meet the high standards I expect. It is not in line with police values, which require professionalism and for officers to treat colleagues and the public with respect.’’

Nash also wants to know how the commissioner will manage future inter-agency work to improve justice sector outcomes for Maori.

A consortium of senior iwi leaders who work with police have dismissed the IPCA report as unjust, unbalanced, and inconsistent with the findings of a prior Government inquiry. Neville Baker, a member of the Ma¯ori Focus Forum, said the report ‘‘expressly ignores the conduct of the complainants themselves’’.