Police boss regrets ‘poor’ decision to drink-drive

Police Commissioner Mike Bush has admitted a historical drinkdriving conviction.

Under existing recruitment policies, the conviction would prevent Bush from applying to join police, but he is protected by how long ago it happened.

‘‘The incident happened 34 years ago while I was an off-duty detective constable in Auckland in 1983,’’ Bush said in a statement.

‘‘I was 23 years old at the time and had been in the police for five years. I pleaded guilty and was convicted. I received a $250 fine and was disqualified from driving for six months.’’

Bush responded yesterday after months of questioning by Fairfax NZ. Bush said police could not supply detail on the prosecution because it was covered by the Clean Slate Act.

‘‘However, I am prepared to waive my right under the act in the interests of transparency,’’ he said. ‘‘It was extremely poor judgment by me 34 years ago, for which I am sorry. I make no excuses. It is something I deeply regret and have reflected on ever since.’’

Police have separately revealed that Bush’s conviction is one of four cases where senior police have been prosecuted.

Police Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett said Bush told her about the conviction earlier this week.

‘‘He had previously gone through the proper process, which was to disclose this to the State Services Commission and the former minister of police when he became deputy commissioner.

‘‘He continues to have my full support,’’ she said.

Bush said his conviction was reported in an Auckland newspaper but he did not lose his job.

‘‘It wasn’t until 1991 – eight years after it happened – that the then commissioner of police made it clear that subsequent drinkdrive convictions for a police officer could place their career in jeopardy,’’ Bush said.

Police ‘‘played a big part’’ in changing the attitude to drinkdriving over the last three decades, he said.

‘‘Many of my colleagues and friends are aware of it, and it was disclosed to the State Services Commission as part of the process for appointing me deputy commissioner and [then] commissioner. I have always been prepared to talk about it if asked.’’

Asked about the policy of retaining sworn staff who have been prosecuted, a police spokesman said it had evolved over the years, particularly after 1991 when the then commissioner of police said any officers convicted of drink driving placed their careers in jeopardy.

‘‘The current policy is that any decision around retaining staff convicted of offences is made on a case-by-case basis, depending on the seriousness and context of the offending.’’

The NZ Police website says it will not accept recruitment applications from those who have convictions relating to dishonesty, drugs, sexual offences, violence and all ‘‘drink-drive’’ offences.

There is no set rule for whether a police officer will lose their job if they acquire a drink-drive conviction while in the force.