Subj : EXCLUSIVE: DEPARTING POLICE COMMISSIONER MIKE BUSH "PROUD" OF POLICE R
To : All
From : Major Queen
Date : Tue Apr 07 2020 03:34 pm
APRIL 7, 2020 SOURCE EXPRESS
Speaking to express as he departed his post last week, Mike Bush says he is
pleased a with the police's positive and productive relationship with the
Rainbow community."
After six years as New Zealand's Police Commissioner, Mike Bush is leaving
the role pleased with the relationship the Police have with the rainbow
community.
Bush says that under his watch, one of the core values of the police was
"valuing diversity."
"In line with this, the Police continue to have a positive and productive
relationship with the Rainbow community," Bush says.
The Police had come under fire during Bush's tenure for their decision to
move away from LGBT specific diversity training, however, a spokesperson for
the Police tells express that this has now been replaced with a broader
diversity framework.
"This new training programme has a "very strong focus on living the Police
values daily - demonstrating Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Commitment
to Maori and the Treaty, Empathy and Valuing Diversity to all people in all
communities," the spokesperson says.
"We have a culture at the RNZPC which is extremely inclusive, and the
recruits are presented with scenarios and role-plays that represent people in
the LGBTQI community. Officers also receive training in working with members
of the rainbow community as part of Tactical Communications training."
Mr Bush leaves the role saying he is pleased with the relationship between
the Police and the wider community, including LGBT Kiwis. "It is important
that as a Police service we are reflective of our communities and I am proud
that as an organisation we can and do celebrate the diversity and inclusion
of our workforce and our community."
Mike Bush leaves the role with praise from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern who
thanked Bush, particularly for his leadership during the 2019 Christchurch
mosque attacks.
Former area commander in Auckland City Central and former Southern Police
District commander Andrew Coster succeeds Mr Bush as New Zealand's new Police
Commissioner and will serve a five-year term.
