National politicises police by claiming Government is politicising police

Written By: - Date published: 10:41 am, January 14th, 2020 - 19 comments
Categories: law, law and "order", national, police, same old national, Simon Bridges - Tags:

Well the political year is up and running.  

And Simon Bridges is complaining about the Government politicising the police.  Given all of the law and order themes the opposition has run in the past year and especially the Simon Bridges video which featured a former police officer talking about him this is a bit rich.

The context is a police raid on a person holding rather strong right wing views alleging that this person was in possession of illegal weapons.  It has been claimed by the opposition’s pollster among others that the raid was based on what this person said to a select committee considering the Government’s gun law changes which were formulated after the Christchurch massacre.

The police however have said that they did not use any information from the select committee process.  It appears that the subject was a regular use of social media and I presume that the application would have relied on it.

He has his ability to seek legal recourse.  The Nicky Hager case will provide an interesting precedent for him.

He has been described by the right as being a family man.  It has been pointed out on twitter however that he thinks Trump is a great leader and is stopping the world drifting leftward, thinks there are points of the shooter’s manifesto which overlap with his movement’s world views, opposes the United Nations,wants greater controls on Immigration and opposes the UN migration pact.  So in all fairness it could be said that he holds some pretty hard right wing views.

https://twitter.com/farmgeek/status/1215915623961595911

Bridges has chosen to step in, support the “family man” complain about the Police decision and allege that the Government is effectively controlling the police.  From Zane Small at Newshub:

Bridges described the firearms ban and buyback scheme as a “quiet fiasco” and suggested the Government is influencing the police to prioritise it over issues he feels are more pressing, like gang violence. 

“I do – and I don’t want to get into conspiracy theories – worry about the politicisation of the police,” Bridges said. “I think they have to be scrupulously independent.”

The National Party leader said he’s seen top police officers having coffee with ministers in the Beehive in Wellington and said it “worries” him. 

Williams asked Bridges if Judith Collins did the same thing when she was Police Minister under the former National-led Government. 

“I don’t know,” Bridges replied, “but I’ll tell you what I do think: we need to be scrupulous in guarding against that and ensuring that there is a separation.

“To the police, I say quite clearly: Mike Bush, you guard against politicisation of your force. It’s too precious to do otherwise.”

The police has responded with a very clear denial:

Police Commissioner Mike Bush responded by pushing back against Bridges’ claims.

“I can assure the New Zealand public that all operational decisions are made independently of any political inference,” he told Newshub. “There are no exceptions to this, including matters that are currently in the media.”

The claims of having cups of coffee with Ministers in the Beehive is bizarre.  Police and other senior public servants visit Ministers all the time.  What are they to do? Be offered water only?

There is an attempt to draw an equivalence between this incident and what happened to Nicky Hager. I can’t see it myself. Making sure the current law works has to be a priority for the police. And people should be aware by now that the law has changed.

Besides Hager had his papers and computers seized as well as his daughter’s computer. And police said at the time that he was not a suspect.

Such subtleties are beyond current political discourse. And it is unfortunate that the current leader of the opposition has this practice of barking at pretty well every issue that goes past him.

19 comments on “National politicises police by claiming Government is politicising police ”

  1. DirkDirkin 1

    Different year, same uninformed, biased b/s from Bridges

  2. Kevin 2

    An immigrant wanting greater controls on immigration…

    • mickysavage 2.1

      But only the ones that are a different colour to him.

      • McFlock 2.1.1

        A bit like the opposition leader wanting police crackdowns on gangs and other criminal organisations, just not ws ones that also might possess illegal weapons.

      • Kevin 2.1.2

        Probably mad he couldn't emigrate to South Africa. He would have fit in nicely there 30 years ago.

      • OnceWasTim 2.1.3

        Out of the Trump playbook – projection: whereby you accuse your opponents of all the stuff you (one) is guilty of.

        But given all that, the thing the Coalition needs to wake up to most is that many in the senior ranks of the public service are not their friends.

        (Just as another example of muppetry, an RNZ report on Summer Report this morning regarding refugees). The place really has progressed from being a shambles to a farce. It always was destined to be just that since it took on the Joyce/Coleman once-over, but its not just MoBIE by any means.

        And if I hear one more time some Labour politician use the term "best practice" as some sort of justification for offialdom's muppetry, it'll be the determinant of whether I vote Labour of Green. None of which is any reflection on the worker-bees.

        Speak to your mates @ MickeySavage. If you like, I know someone who'd happily assist with satisfying a few Labour politician's masochistic tendencies if that's what it's going to take for them to realise a few senior public servants really don't want the Coalition to succeed – and they're often dressed up in various guises

  3. Gosman 3

    "It has been pointed out on twitter however that he thinks Trump is a great leader and is stopping the world drifting leftward, thinks there are points of the shooter’s manifesto which overlap with his movement’s world views, opposes the United Nations,wants greater controls on Immigration and opposes the UN migration pact. So in all fairness it could be said that he holds some pretty hard right wing views."

    Ummm… holding pretty hard right views is not a crime nor should it be a driver for any Police harassment.

    • McFlock 3.1

      Couple it with talking about possessing illegal weapons parts, it should definitely be a driver for closer examination. 51 reasons why.

    • Cinny 3.2

      The police turning up with a search warrant is not harassment.

      The police continuing to turn a blind eye to right wing extremists in the wake of the ChCh tragedy would be more than disturbing.

      With that in mind, I'm completely bemused as to what the issue actually is.

    • Ian 3.3

      It's police harrassment ,pure and simple. Hagar got off on a technicality but it took the wind out of his sails. As a licensed firearms owner ,I have hunted all my life and am legally obliged to controll pests and euthanise animals that are suffering with no chance of survival.This is an area the rural /urban divide needs to bridge with a lot more understanding from both sides .Nash and his cronies need to look at the bigger picture and be very carefull of how they label their political opponents.

      • Lucy 3.3.1

        If the police turned up with a search warrant then a judge looked at the evidence and ascertained there was enough probable cause. That judges decision is open to scrutiny as was done in the Hagar case where the police were deemed to have neglected to have left out facts the judge needed to know. If he claimed to have (by then) illegal weapons on social media then the police would be remiss not to follow it up. I have never hunted but the concept of needing a gun that shots hundreds of bullets a minute to shoot a bunny or several bunnies implies a lack of skill and technique.

        • Ian 3.3.1.1

          The firearm in question was an antique lever action .22 rifle . Thats a problem with rushed legislation when the vast majority of the legislators have no idea what they are doing. You,for example seem pretty ignorant about firearms and thats OK but many rural folk use firearms in their daily work and I can't be bothered explaining to you why a lever action .22 would have great difficulty in firing hundreds of bullets a minute.The magazine capacity of the rifle was over 10,so the bunny gun got caught up in this ridiculously rushed legislation.

          • In Vino 3.3.1.1.1

            'antique'?? You mean from the 17th Century? Or from Ancient Greece or Rome? Emotive terms give away your underlying attitudes, Ian.

            'old' would have been a better word for you to use. Lever action was still common in World War 2, whereas 'antique' suggests something like front-loading muskets.

            And his name is Hager, not Hagar. Another Freudian slip?

  4. McFlock 4

    See, now this thing about coffee with ministers doesn't even say coffee with police ministers. A number of areas like health and social welfare are getting into multi-sectoral integration at regional and local levels. Even if these are work coffees, they might be informal explorations into ways a different ministry can help get the right things done on the ground. Cops stand out because of uniforms – a DHB CEO or OT manager could be anybody.

  5. Cinny 5

    Isn't the narrative 'nothing to hide, nothing to fear' a right wing/conservative point of view? I guess that narrative goes out the window for a tory when the police turn up with a search warrant.

  6. soddenleaf 6

    We're in a new era of gun laws, it's necessary that policing practuces will evolve. Its understandable then that National pro more gangs, tie judges hands, feckless bans on alternative route taking, all once again show how out of touch national are always on crime. More crims, more jail, less justice,poor regulation, talking out of their collective backsides…

    Bridge sup Key cool aid and hasn't looked back, Key being the worst post war pm. Oversaw the biggest collapse in finance and had nothing useful to say, keeping his head down banker code.

  7. Ken 7

    Are we getting "tough on crime" or aren't we, Soimun?

  8. JustMe 8

    Where was Simon Bridges' voice of concern when Kim Dotcom experienced an invasion by Police on his(Dotcom's)private property during a National government???!!?!!!!!

    Why does it seem perfectly normal for the Police to raid a property during a National government but it's unacceptable when National are in Opposition???!!!!!!

    If a wealthy Asian donator to the NZ National Party who so happens to have Triads links has a visit by the NZ Police will Bridges condemn that visit as say an 'invasion of privacy"? Or will Bridges' conveniently overlook this and there wouldn't be a peep out of him because it, the wealthy Asian businessman's links, are too close to the NZ National Party bank accounts???!!!

    All in all it does seem Bridges' has a very short memory span especially of the all too numerous times the NZ Police raided ordinary NZers homes because they, the NZers concerned, were more vocal about their questioning of the National government of the day.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Pharmac Chair appointed
    Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago
  • Taking action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
    Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says.  “Every day, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • New sports complex opens in Kaikohe
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Diplomacy needed more than ever
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges.    “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Anzac Commemorative Address, Buttes New British Cemetery Belgium
    Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service.  It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk Bair
    Distinguished guests -   It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders.   Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, Türkiye
    Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia.   Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM announces changes to portfolios
    Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho Collective
    Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale.  “It is good ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Supporting better financial outcomes for Kiwis
    The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Trade relationship with China remains strong
    “China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.   Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-28T05:59:41+00:00