Prostitution Incompatible With Policing

New Zealand Police National News Release

20 July 2006

The police officer involved in secondary employment as a prostitute had neither applied for nor was granted approval for such employment. The officer concerned had been censured by way of counselling, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Lyn Provost, said today.

"The matter was dealt with by the Auckland City Police District.

Police discovered early in 2006 that she had worked for a limited time as a prostitute.

"Any police officer wanting to take up secondary employment must seek approval from their District Commander. Any applications for secondary employment - under employment law - would be considered on a case by case basis.

"In this case no such approval had been sought. When this matter came to light it was felt appropriate it should be dealt with under the secondary employment framework. The officer concerned has been counselled. Under police procedures this amounts to a censure."

"I can assure the public that police have acted properly in this matter and that this type of secondary employment would never be approved given that the type of work is inappropriate and incompatible with policing.

"The case in the public arena is regrettable for the individual but highlights the very public nature of policing," said Mrs Provost.

The Deputy Commissioner said that she would not disclose any further details around the individual.

Mrs Provost said that she did not intend taking part in any media debate about the issue and she would talk directly to Police staff if necessary but she believed that commonsense dictated that the vast majority of police staff simply knew that sex work and policing were incompatible.

ENDS

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