Police had to follow law in Buis case

AFTER two and ahalf years harassing a business owner, followed by a 25month period to bring to a judgealone trial, a conviction was finally made and the owner was awarded substantial compensation all while Jeremy Buis enjoyed name suppression and an ongoing salary while on paid leave. One of his collegues who was involved in some of the inhouse antics described it as

‘‘just boy chat’’. Now there is an ongoing employment process to go through.

Why do we have this man still in the NZ Police and will his colleagues who thought it was funny and possibly encouraged the continuation of the harassment be censured?

The NZ Police employment process, in instances like this, appears to drag on far too long at taxpayers’ expense. In the commercial world this man would have been dismissed long ago. Neil Callick

Otematata

[Police Southern District Commander Paul Basham replies: ‘‘There is no doubt that the actions of Jeremy Buis as described in court were extremely disappointing. They do not reflect the good work of police staff across Southern district, or our culture. I should also make clear that at no point has police sought name suppression for Buis.

‘‘Police must follow employment law like any other employer, and we must also ensure that criminal investigation and court processes are properly observed. The investigation team involved in this case were acutely aware of the high levels of public trust and confidence held by Southern district, and they worked tirelessly to ensure Buis was fully investigated.

‘‘As District Commander I am absolutely committed to ensuring that we uphold the values the public rightly expects of us, and we continue to serve our communities to the highest standard.’’]

Journalism standards

ALISTAIR Cooke, the Britishborn American journalist, TV personality and broadcaster died in New York City in 2004, aged 95. He was particularly well known for his Letter from America that was first broadcast in 1946 with the final one delivered 58 years later just prior to his death. In total there were 2869 installments covering the whole gamut of American life and politics during that period including on golf which he took up later in life and regularly enthused about.

His letters were notable for their diversity, clarity of thought, humour and eloquence. Cooke expressed himself with a certain grace and elegance, striving where possible to find the best rather than the worst features of human kind, but there were also some rare occasions where he could be quite scathing.

Many of today’s communications of whatever type are often short on quality and substance. Sensationalism, lack of balance and bias are not uncommon features. Rather than seeking the high ground, journalism and other media forms not infrequently plunge into the depths of cynicism and negativity whether consciously or unconsciously creating unnecessary division and polarisation of views.

One wonders how Alistair Cooke might view recent events in America and elsewhere in the world? Would he still be as optimistic as he had generally been over almost six decades or would his letters be clouded by pessimism? One can only surmise and although he would undoubtedly be saddened by the diminished state of media credibility, it is probable his magnanimous nature would still be shining a light full of hope and inspiration. If ever a current role model was needed for journalism it would be the late and great Alistair Cooke. Joss Miller

Waverley

State care abuse

THANK you Chris Morris for reporting the horrible abuse New Zealand children have gone through (ODT, 19.7.17). Keep making New Zealand Government accountable for its disgusting neglect. Every perpetrator should be imprisoned for it. Every child abused I hope can heal.

Leanne Marr

Queensland