Police Commissioner to retire at end of year

Police Commissioner Rob Robinson confirmed today that he will be stepping down from his role at the end of the year.

"It has been a privilege and high honour to serve as Commissioner of Police for the past six years," he said.

Mr Robinson observed that during that time Police have achieved some very significant reductions in crime and road trauma that have benefited all New Zealanders.

"These achievements are due to the work of highly committed professional members of Police throughout New Zealand and I am proud to be their Commissioner.

"While there have been reputational challenges to Police during 2004/05 these have not distracted Police from their commitment to do their best to meet the needs of whatever community they serve."

Mr Robinson said that in late 2004 when he accepted the Government's offer of an extension to his contract, he felt there was a number of issues on the table that required his continued attention.

"With completion of the Independent Review Panel Report into Police Communication Centres, most decisions made around Project Insight into the misuse of the Police email system, prosecution of alleged historical offending under Operation Austin and the completion by December of representations on behalf of the Police to the Commission of Inquiry into Police Conduct, it feels like an appropriate point has been reached for my departure.

"As always, there remains work to be done and the time is right for the baton to pass to my successor to steward Police through the next phase of their history. I look forward to being able to spend more time with my family which has been severely restricted because of my commitment as Commissioner.

"I wish to thank all those people who have provided support to Police and myself as Commissioner over the years," Mr Robinson said.

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