Hard News: Mint Chicks win everything
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I think there's a clear difference between enforcing/witholding prosecution for political ends and deciding that the operations of the police should take account of community relations and national unity.
The police are not a great impartial body in this matter. Firstly, most individual cops are politically somewhere to the right of Genghis Khan. Secondly, the interests of the police are to exarcabate tensions, not to diminish them. If a full-on terrorist campaign did kick off in NZ, they'd have more numbers, more pay, better equipment, improved status and more interesting work. (It's far more fun to be foiling shadowy terrorist campaigns than failing to control domestic violence).
I don't just base this on surmise and prejudice. A few years ago I spent some time travelling with a Northern Ireland cop. She was mortified at the prospect of the peace process ending her exciting, well paid (GBP30k) job.
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Firstly, most individual cops are politically somewhere to the right of Genghis Khan. Secondly, the interests of the police are to exarcabate tensions, not to diminish them. If a full-on terrorist campaign did kick off in NZ, they'd have more numbers, more pay, better equipment, improved status and more interesting work. (It's far more fun to be foiling shadowy terrorist campaigns than failing to control domestic violence).
Stereotypes about cops are about as accurate as stereotypes about any other group. PA users are all computer geeks. University lecturers are all wafty left-wingers. MPs are all feeding off the public trough.
I have a (retired now) police officer in my family. There's a few cops like you've described above, but the vast majority really aren't into that sort of action. My mother used to sit up waiting for Dad to come home from evening shifts, and if he was ever late home, she'd dread that instead of the door opening with a key, there'd be a knock on the door.
I spent a summer once working for the police compiling the results of a survey of officers on their attitudes to firearms. One of the questions asked was 'do you think NZ police should be permanently armed'. The majority answered 'no'. They were aware that the more they upped the anti, the more likely they'd be facing armed criminals on the job, and that's something they're really looking to avoid.
I don't just base this on surmise and prejudice. A few years ago I spent some time travelling with a Northern Ireland cop. She was mortified at the prospect of the peace process ending her exciting, well paid (GBP30k) job.
I know a cop who left the Northern Irish Police force because he hated what was going on there and felt it was unsafe for him and his family. He moved to NZ and had a wonderful career as Proctor at the University of Otago. You couldn't find a nicer guy. One person does not make a general rule.
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I'm assuming that Greg O'Connor is elected to his post in the Police Association and isn't just a self-appointed spokesman? If so, that would seem to indicate that there is a definite hard right tendency amongst cops.
Being a policeman in a society with a low-level terrorist campaign isn't very dangerous, and the more imaginary the terrorists the safer it becomes. Obviously peoples mileage varies, but a lot of securocrats do very well without exposing themselves to substantial risk.
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Off topic sorry, but ... wtf!?
Drug dealers targeting children with P-laced milkshakes
By BELINDA FEEK - Waikato Times | Saturday, 27 October
Children as young as nine are becoming addicted to P as dealers think of new ways to broaden their market.
And in a disturbing new trend targeting young people, Hawaiian drug expert Gary Shimabukoro said P or methamphetamine was now being eaten, mixed with soda or made into milkshakes to give out a "steady buzz"...
Where, in Hawaii? Maybe P is being consumed in milkshakes, but it's a stretch to jump to the conclusion this is to hook 9 years olds one would think.
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Hi Public Address,
I haven't posted in ages which some of you may consider a great favour so,*lodges cotton wool in cheek*
"Now maybe you can do me a favour"
The school I work at has entered and has made the final five of a competition to create and produce a song around the integrated use of ICT in our school and classroom. There is a rather large portion of prize action up for grabs and I'd like you to help us win it. If you go to the url below,
http://contest.interwritelearning.com/contestant/90/
and vote for us I'd be ever so greatful. You have to create an account to vote which will cost nothing but a little of you time and an email addy. You get to watch a video which is based around our school and stars some of our kids and some guy who shall remain nameless, heh.
P.S. I'm going to spam this message on loads of threads and if this irritates you, I do apologise.
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