Again in November, the day O'Sullivan began work as Commissioner, Sir Max told everyone to settle down after Blizzard was allegedly asked to reconsider his position. The last thing a Commissioner of Police wants is a lot of sycophants around him. That's very much a middle or lower level kind of situation. It is interesting that senior police appear to have such difficulty resolving conflict given it is they who have sponsored the introduction of conflict resolution and grievance procedures within the Police Service. Besides, most policing involves conflict.
Police supposedly are the professional masters at dealing with it.
Newnham also is critical of the secrecy provision in senior police contracts, the provision O'Sullivan uses to justify not publishing his reasons for the sacking. I think we've reached a stage of maturity in this country where public sector decision makers are expected to be held to account for all of their decisions. I believe the contract provisions are out of date. I think it's a charade. Certainly the PSMC could examine secrecy provisions and the Appeals process in its review of the Police Service.