Media Release

For Immediate Release
Friday 4 May 2007

Police Incensed by Supreme Court Decision

"Police Officers around NZ are incensed at the decision of the Supreme Court to allow the appeal of a man convicted of disorderly behaviour for harassing a Police Officer," Police Association President Greg O'Connor said today.

"The man had gone to the off-duty constables home, woken her as she had been on night-shift, and sang and chanted outside her home."

Mr O'Connor said, "The courts must protect police officers from the behaviour of people like Mr Booker. Police Officers are wondering how Supreme Court Judges would react to similar behaviour outside their own homes."

"This is now an invitation for criminals around the country to harass officers at home, secure in the knowledge their behaviour will be sanctioned by the senior judiciary in this country."

"This decision defies common sense and leaves police officers vulnerable to this sort of harassment," said Mr O'Connor.

ENDS

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