Police National HQ and the Brash E-mails
October 1st, 2008 at 1:00 pm by David FarrarMatthew Hooton blogs some disturbing information he has obtained from the Police. It has taken him 18 months to get the information under the Official Information Act, even though it should have taken only 20 days.
It deals with the Police investigation into the Brash or so called Hollow Men e-mails. Key points are:
- The alleged theft was notified to Police in August 2005
- The Police did not begin their investigation until September 2006 – 13 months later!
- The Police did not interview anyone as part of the investigation until June 2007 – 22 months after the complaint
- The Police lied when they said in April 2008 the file was closed, as they now claim it is open but not active.
- It took 18 months to get even this information out of the Police
- The Police are refusing to release the file, even though they say the file is no longer active
- The Officer in charge is the same Officer who decided not to prosecute Labour for their $800.000 of over spending in 2005
Now some will say there is nothing bad or sinister about this. They will claim the e-mails were never stolen. But why did the Police spend 20 months fighting the OIA release?
Related posts:
- Guyon on Police investigation into Brash e-mails
- Police reopen Brash e-mails investigation
- The Brash e-mails file
- Brash e-mails remain a mystery
October 1st, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Absolute Power.
Vote:October 1st, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Some might say those things hey David, but don’t let that stop you throwing out raw meat. Seriously, do you want to disappear down this rabbit hole and relive the disasterous Brash years? Why?
[DPF: I love how Paul calls the Brash years a disaster. The normal left attempt to rewrite history. Don Brash almost won the 2005 election and had National's vote share increase from 21% to 39% - the largest ever increase, and in absolute terms the best result since 1990.
John Key looks like he may repeat such a disaster and deliver another 10%+ growth in the vote]
Vote:October 1st, 2008 at 1:25 pm
The NZ Police Hierarchy have been subverted at this level!
They are really scared of Helen Clark.
Weird.
The vast majority of the Police hate this administration with a passion!
Wonder why?
Vote:October 1st, 2008 at 1:31 pm
ah yes, Howard and his lot remind me of the American officers who became the subject of friendly fire deaths from the grunts they were supposed to be leading in Vietnam…that’s the real reason why our police aren’t armed.
Vote:October 1st, 2008 at 1:37 pm
The SFO Acting head actually said something like this when being grilled by the select committee recently and they got him wound up, that if they wanted to give his role to the police, they’d have to get some top police who don’t have serious moral perversions……!
But on Brash’s e-mails, all we need to do is imagine the fracas if it was HELEN’s e-mails……..does anyone actually believe there wouldn’t be SERIOUSLY embarrassing stuff to be found there, and does anyone actually believe that anyone who did successfully hack into it and use the information to smear her, would remain uninvestigated and unprosecuted?
Vote:October 1st, 2008 at 1:42 pm
In an election that is being fought on trust, this should be all over the MSM. I will not be holding my breath however!
Vote:October 1st, 2008 at 1:44 pm
I can’t speak for DPF, Paul, but if nothing else the Police should get a briefing on their obligations under the Official Information Act. The Greg O’Connors of this world regard any degree of scrutiny or accountability as a monstrous impertinence — hell, you might as well slap on a gang patch — but I don’t see why Police National HQ get a pass on flouting the law.
Vote:October 1st, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Clark has instituted a control culture of fear. This has been accomplished by political appointments to various civil servant positions.
I truly believe that the police are loathe to annoy labour.
Vote:October 1st, 2008 at 1:51 pm
I would have thought it is obvious. Corruption. No wonder beat cops hate National HQ.
Vote:October 1st, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Time to bring in the Police Complaints Authority?
Vote:October 1st, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Will it happen this side of Christmas?
Vote:October 1st, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Yes Brash almost won, fair point, but mine was not an attempt to claim he was ineffective (since when was I part of the normal left, whomever they are, they ought to identify themselves preferably by buying me a beer), just that his policies and approach were disastrous. None more so that the Orewa speech which should be seen for what it was, one of the more shrill instances of dog whistling ever heard in NZ. But also his deception regarding the dealings with the Exclusive Brethren, his breach of faith with his party over ANZUS and his phillanderings while playing moral judge to the PM. It’s this history that you and Hooten resurface by this story, it’s not an association Key’ll thank either of you for I suspect… but then you’re both independent operators so don’t let my opinions dissaude you from rehashing this distasteful episode in your party’s history.
Vote:October 1st, 2008 at 2:06 pm
There is a certain similarity between the NZ Police Force and the 1914-1918 British Army …. Lions led by donkeys.
Vote:October 1st, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Agreed. It seems there’s an real need for all officials/agencies to be kicked in the pants over their OIA abuses – it pissed me off mightily when National abused it (Ministers I mean, none more so that Creech) so I have no sympathy for the Police if this is true but then I don’t recall Hooten ever having much to familiarity for the truth.
Vote:October 1st, 2008 at 2:18 pm
arrogance is a problem when people consider you their servant instead of the other way round
Vote:October 1st, 2008 at 2:22 pm
“..[DPF: I love how Paul calls the Brash years a disaster. The normal left attempt to rewrite history. Don Brash almost won the 2005 election and had National's vote share increase from 21% to 39% - the largest ever increase, and in absolute terms the best result since 1990.
John Key looks like he may repeat such a disaster and deliver another 10%+ growth in the vote]..”
yes..and brash did that on the back of racist/divisive inflammatory rhetoric..
..supported by secret funding..
..and all his ‘promises’ were a bunch of lies..(c.f..’hollow-men’…
..and i reckon with his abolish the maori seats rhetoric..
..key is doing a brash..appealing to that ugly racist/reactionary thread in this country..
..(sole-parent bashing/bootcamps..etc..)
..key is brash-lite..
..but is as dangerous/disingenuous/cynical as brash was..
..and the same lying bastards as were around brash..enthusiastically spouting that vile rhetoric..
..are still onnationals’ front-bench..
..(and anyway..as for the ‘stolen emails’..?
..my understanding is that we will all know by election time wether revenge or ambition brought brash down..
..wether it was english or key..who leaked the emails to hager..
..(maybe hooten was hoping/looking for a scoop/early-release..?..)
..phil(whoar.co.nz)
Vote:October 1st, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Naional MPs should have pressed the police to chase up the email thefts, which at the very least are a theft of the copyright of those who wrote the emails. The more recent “burgling” of National policy releases may then have been prevented.
The mainstream media’s lack of interest in pursuing inquiries into this crime reflects its left-wing bias. If Labour and H1 had been the victims rather than National and Brash, the media would have turned it into NZ’s equivalent of Watergate.
The police chief seems to be on Helen Clark’s leash. Is it true he had a role in the Ellis case in Christchurch? If so, perhaps that’s what keeps him at H1′s heels.
Vote:October 1st, 2008 at 2:45 pm
the reason for the fear and loathing of the 9th floor at Police HQ is that H1 and H2 will have both read the confidential personnel file on every senior Police officer and know where all their skeletons are buried.
One of my student holiday jobs was working as a filing clerk in a very large Government department. This was in the good old days before computers faxes etc All the files were in cardboard folders.
I spent many hours reading the files o then quite important senior civil servants going back to their original interview and including their assessments and in some cases disciplinary matters.
It was fascinating to be delivering internal and external mail etc to these now high level personnel knowing all the time all their little and in some cases no so little secrets.
You can be rest assured the semior Police know full weel thta if they dont do as they must under Clark they will be punsihed
Look at Doone
Vote:October 1st, 2008 at 2:45 pm
As an IT security professional, I’m absolutely amazed that the Police thought that interviews were the right approach to investigating the crime. The first thing I would have done was pull and archive all the server logs and configuration settings. Then you’d interview your suspect when you had a water tight case. I really have no idea how they expected a result when they hadn’t pursued some simple forensic steps, and the forensic evidence is almost certainly not available a year after the crime.
They were either incompetent or purposely dragging their feet.
Vote:October 1st, 2008 at 2:53 pm
As an IT security professional, I’m absolutely amazed that the Police thought that interviews were the right approach to investigating the crime. The first thing I would have done was pull and archive all the server logs and configuration settings. Then you’d interview your suspect when you had a water tight case. I really have no idea how they expected a result when they hadn’t pursued some simple forensic steps, and the forensic evidence is almost certainly not available a year after the crime.
They were either incompetent or purposely dragging their feet.
I have always thought the same thing.
Vote:October 1st, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Since we have a PM who was warned by the ombudsman that the OIA was NOT a balnk cheque to with hold information and she directly controls the police why is anyone suprised.
Vote:October 1st, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Not surprised Murray just disappointed.
Vote:October 1st, 2008 at 3:27 pm
While there is a prima facie case here for disgraceful foot-dragging, I am not surprised (or so concerned) by police reluctance to release their files.
Such releases would raise serious privacy issues, could compromise investigations, and foreknowledge of such release may constrain police in their operations. It does not seem good to me to have the media/public peering over police shoulders (even after the fact) at details of investigations.
I am not defending police conduct of THIS investigation but am concerned with matters of principle, and of police effectiveness.
Vote:October 1st, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Craig
re:
>
>>hell, you might as well slap on a gang patch
>
They have, it’s got NZ POLICE on it and they all wear it!
Vote:October 1st, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Privacy issues? What its a secret that they’ve done fuck all now russell?
Vote:October 1st, 2008 at 3:48 pm
could compromise investigations,
What investigation? You cant be talking about this half arsed attempt are you?
Vote:October 1st, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Mr Strings: I’ll give you fair warning that you might not want to go there with me. I’ve friends and family who’ve worn that uniform with dedication, honour and integrity. Bloody shame they’re not well represented by senior management, and their union’s reliably fatuous mouthpiece — and that good cops get (unfairly) tarred with the same brush as the scum — but that’s no reason to take a cheap shot like that.
Vote:October 1st, 2008 at 4:54 pm
You are right Craig Ranapia, but Dave might not have meant that comment to be anything beyond a little jest……
Vote:October 1st, 2008 at 4:56 pm
SOME of the cops, especially the Dunedin ones “Investigate” has been blowing the cover on, deserve a bit of borax poked their way….
Vote:October 1st, 2008 at 5:01 pm
I too have worn the Uniform with pride, but am ashamed at how much Political interference has been allowed in the last 7 – 9 years. The Police MUST be kept free fron Political interference, But Komrade Klark has seen to it that EVERY Government funded body has been corrupted by her Government. It will be bloody hard for the Police Administration to regain their independence now that they have given it away under piss weak Commissioners. Policing in NZ is in the worst shape it has ever been. Underfunded, Under staffed and under resourced.
Vote:October 1st, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Burt. In short, its grossly mis-managed.
Vote:October 1st, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Howard was just on Larry Williams show. What an absolute blonker. Just kept on quoting facts that didn’t actually mean anything. Anytime Williams queried him on the figures and things getting worse he just stated the Police are doing all they can.
Williams rightfully said its not the Polices fault, but Labour and Police HQ. Williams even quoted the latest Police mag which said on any normal night only two cars are on patrol in Manukau at any one time.
Vote:October 1st, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Southern Raider – I think it was an assistant commissioner called Grant Nicholls on the Larry Williams show. He must moonlight as a press secretary for Annette King, the way he was going on. Williams’ quotes from the Police mag were great, but didn’t stop this guy spouting out his propaganda.
Vote:October 1st, 2008 at 7:13 pm
yes..and brash did that on the back of racist/divisive inflammatory rhetoric..”
What…..that “rhetoric” about one law for ALL New Zealanders….and race being irrelavant etc?…..the same rhetoric that has the world in orgasmic devotion to its other expousers Nelson Mandala and Martin Luther King…?
You sad P using child endanger you Phil…
And demerit points? With all due respect DPF….stick em up ya arse sideways…..i’ll take a double helping and proudly …!
;-0
[DPF: Okay double 20 is 40 demerits.]
Vote:October 1st, 2008 at 8:39 pm
The police have ignored OIA requests whenever they felt like it for years.
Nothing new there.
Ignoring investigations that are politically inconvenient does seem new and drastic. That it happened in this case is no surprise.
As the IT guys say, the way this one was (not) done is either criminal incompetence or deliberate deceptive corruption.
Vote:October 1st, 2008 at 11:11 pm
“Time to bring in the Police Complaints Authority?”
What? So we can here the standard ‘OK, nothing in this’ broken record. Nah, the Police chief’s are in the Gummints back pocket.
Vote:October 2nd, 2008 at 12:20 am
Weren’t there suppose to be some shocking revelations regarding who the source of the leak was from Labour? Nice of Winston to keep his mouth shut about who gave give the emails, then again he has had bigger problems to deal with.
Vote:October 2nd, 2008 at 12:23 am
Don Brash not making Prime Minister in 2005 was truly a great loss to New Zealand.
New Zealand finally got pathetic tax cuts two and half years after they would have been delivered by Don Brash. The country is also now in recession so on the bright side those that voted for Labour are being collectively punished and deservedly so.
Vote:October 2nd, 2008 at 10:02 pm
“[DPF: Okay double 20 is 40 demerits.]”
Fair enough…..pansy! ;-0
Why I keep you on I don’t know!
LOL
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