4 October 2007

Truth Decision "Irresponsible, Disappointing" - O'Connor

"The decision of fringe publication 'The Truth' to publish the name and photograph of an officer it claims was involved in last week's shooting in Christchurch is irresponsible and deeply disappointing", Police Association President Greg O'Connor said today.

"Naming of officers involved in such incidents, especially while investigations are still underway, serves no good purpose whatsoever. The only outcome is the unnecessary victimisation of the officer and their family," Mr O'Connor said.

"Officers who have been forced to shoot offenders in the line of their duty to the public already suffer the trauma and stress of the incident, lengthy investigations, and often ill-informed public comment. We know from past experience that identification of officers will achieve nothing except compounding the adverse effects on the officer, their family and their career."

Mr O'Connor thanked mainstream media for declining to publish names in this case.

"Mainstream media have behaved responsibly and in accordance with undertakings made following the Waitara shooting. Police officers appreciate the fairness to them shown by respectable media outlets, and I urge them not to be swayed from their stance by the deeply disappointing decision of one fringe publication," Mr O'Connor said.

ENDS

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