Cosgrove Clayton: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
Cosgrove Clayton: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Volume:653;Page:2195] 
6.  
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE (Labour—Waimakariri) 
 to the  
Minister of Police 
: How many instances if any of police staff being caught drink-driving on or off duty has she been briefed on and on what dates were those briefings? 
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Police) 
: 
 I have received briefings in relation to two instances where off-duty police staff were stopped for drink-driving. Those briefings were received on 12 January and 30 March this year. 
Hon Clayton Cosgrove 
: Does she agree that those cases together with the other three cases of staff being charged—two sworn staff and one non-sworn staff—that she mentioned in answers to written questions from me tarnish the professional image of the police who on the whole carry out their duties honourably and professionally; and does she believe that she has a responsibility to show any leadership and to take appropriate action so that the public can have confidence that such behaviour is not condoned? 
Hon JUDITH COLLINS 
: I agree with the member that it does not help the image of the police to have these instances happen. I recall that there are over 11000 police staff both sworn and non-sworn. Two instances is a pretty good record when one considers the record of the previous Labour Government. 
Sandra Goudie 
: Has she seen any other reports relating to police and drink-driving? 
Hon JUDITH COLLINS 
: Yes I have seen a report in the  
Herald on Sunday 
 in which Clayton Cosgrove said he was “shocked” that two police officers were facing drink-driving charges. I do not recall his being shocked last year when the police advised in June that four officers were facing charges of excess breath-alcohol levels. 
Hon Clayton Cosgrove 
: What specific action has she taken in her role as Minister in order to earn her pay in regard to each of those cases to ensure that the public maintain confidence in the police? 
Hon JUDITH COLLINS 
: I have asked the Commissioner of Police whether he felt there was any need to amend the police code of conduct but he agreed with me and with Annette King who advised this House in 2007 that the code of conduct had been approved by Cabinet. I recall that that member was a member of the Labour Cabinet that approved it. 
Hon Clayton Cosgrove 
: How does she reconcile that answer with her answers to written questions Nos 1423 and 1434 which indicate that she has not even bothered to ask the Commissioner of Police to review the code of conduct in the light of those cases and even more bizarrely with her not having prepared any Cabinet papers or Cabinet committee papers since she became Minister; and does she intend to do anything— 
Hon Dr Nick Smith 
: That’s not true. 
Hon Clayton Cosgrove 
: —it is true because she answered the question—practical as Minister of Police to earn her pay instead of swaggering around the country talking tough? 
Hon JUDITH COLLINS 
: Clearly the answer is easily. I suggest that the member recall that it was his Cabinet of which he was a member that chose to agree to the police code of conduct—and that was just over 1 year ago. For goodness’ sake he should do his homework before he comes down to the House. 
Hon Clayton Cosgrove 
: I know that this is slightly unusual but I seek leave to table the answers to the two parliamentary written questions that I read out— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I guess I am obliged to put that leave since it has been sought but to table the answers to parliamentary questions that are on the public record is not consistent with the advice of the Standing Orders Committee. I am— 
Hon Clayton Cosgrove 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I have not dealt with the leave. 
Hon Clayton Cosgrove 
: If I can just speak to the point of order. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The member may speak to the point of order. 
Hon Clayton Cosgrove 
: Mr Speaker I agree with you absolutely but the Minister said in contradiction to the answers to the written questions that she had asked the Commissioner of Police. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I will seek leave to table the answers to those parliamentary questions. Is there any objection? There is.