Latest news with #RichardChambers
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Police launch review after controversial retail crime directive
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers. Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro Police have launched a review to establish how many cases of retail crime were filed while a controversial and now scrapped directive was in place. RNZ revealed last week a directive was recently sent to staff relating to police's File Management Centre (FMC) titled 'Assignment Changes - Theft and Fraud'. The directive said that from 26 March, the FMC was applying "nationally standardised value thresholds" when assessing theft and fraud files. The value thresholds were: General theft $200, petrol drive off $150, shoplifting $500, fraud (paywave, online, scam etc) $1000, and all other fraud $500. "When assessing files with these offences, you will apply the relevant value threshold and file any file under that threshold regardless of any lines of enquiry or IFA score," it said. The police instructions relating to Case Management define an IFA score as "a numeric value derived from a series of weighted factors which gives an indication of the solvability of the case, based on the presence or absence of certain key lines of enquiry". Police Commissioner Richard Chambers canned the directive , which he called "confusing and unhelpful" on Tuesday following significant backlash. On Friday, a police spokesperson confirmed to RNZ the national value threshold applied to the prioritisation of lower-level theft and fraud offences was being removed. "A review is being completed on any cases that may have been impacted by those thresholds to assess whether they should be assigned to districts for follow-up," the spokesperson said. The review will be done by police's data quality team. "Police want to reassure that cases will continue to be managed locally balancing demand, resources and priorities to ensure the best possible service to victims in those communities." The national value threshold applied to the prioritisation of lower-level theft and fraud offences was being removed. Photo: Andrey Popov Retail NZ advocacy manager Ann-Marie Johnson told RNZ earlier this week the organisation would "like assurance that no cases have slipped through the cracks due to any misunderstandings around the directive". Motor Trade Association (MTA) head of advocacy James McDowall told RNZ he welcomed the Commissioner's comments on Tuesday. "We are pleased to hear that police will be taking fuel theft seriously. If police want to conduct a review of the directive and any impact from it, we would be willing to take part and interested in the results," he said. "But why stop there? Why not go back over the last six or 12 months and see how many fuel thefts under $150 were investigated, not simply recorded." McDowall said members reporting that police did not take fuel theft seriously "goes back much further than March". "But we are heartened by the Commissioner's comments yesterday that police will do their 'absolute best for the retail community to hold offenders to account'. We are keen to meet and work with police to this end." Motor Trade Association (MTA) head of advocacy James McDowall. Photo: RNZ / Anneke Smith On Tuesday, Chambers told media at a press conference he was "very disappointed" when he learned of the memo talking about thresholds. "The content of that memo is inconsistent with my expectations as the Commissioner of Police," he said. On Tuesday afternoon, Chambers spoke with a number of leaders in the retail sector at a pre-planned meeting. "We sat down and we talked about what the opportunities are to work together in terms of addressing the problem of retail crime," he said. "My staff across the country work incredibly hard to address the problem of retail crime. We know that retail crime has been increasing over recent years, but so too have the number of prosecutions that police have laid addressing offenders." Chambers said police relied on the support of the retail community and members of the public to gather information and evidence that allowed police to hold offenders to account. "We won't always be able to be there, but we will do our absolute best for the retail community to hold offenders to account," he said. Chambers said he first became aware of the memo on the weekend, after RNZ revealed its existence. He read it for the first time on Monday night. "Having read the memo myself, some might think that we were giving license to those who choose to break the law. That's not the case," he said. "In fact, my appeal is for the retail community and the public to continue to help us to ensure that we gather information to hold people account that hasn't changed." Chambers said the staffer behind the directive "thought they were being helpful". "But actually, when we think about the processes that we have internally to address demand, we must also be thinking about the impact of those decisions externally. "Our role as law enforcement, we are working incredibly hard with the retail community, and the memo was inconsistent with my expectations. I have not spoken to the individual myself, but I think the Commissioner coming out and being very clear about my expectations is probably sufficient." Chambers described himself as an "understanding leader," but said he was "disappointed" the memo spoke to things "that are very inconsistent with my expectations when it comes to retail crime". He said he was "concerned" when he read the memo that it may "impact on trust and confidence in police". "So I'm here today making very clear, and I'm hoping reassuring, that my expectations have not changed." Victims and Resolutions executive director service Rachael Bambery sent an email to District Commanders on Tuesday. The email, supplied to RNZ by police, spoke about "public commentary about national consistent thresholds" for certain offences. "I want to reaffirm that our collective focus remains on the victims and retail crime… The Service, Victims, and Resolutions teams remain committed to supporting you and your districts-both in progressing files and in ensuring our victims are kept informed. "As outlined in the recent memo regarding the development of a consistent IFA approach, please remember this is not a hard and fast directive. To be clear, districts continue to retain the discretion to investigate based on local context, and local resources. Early case closure is not final-many files are reactivated as new information or patterns emerge." Bambery said victim feedback continued to highlight a common theme. "They want to know what's happening next. A consistent national approach will help us provide timely, meaningful updates to victims-something that builds trust and reinforces our commitment to service. "Encouragingly, recent prosecution data shows an increase in shoplifting charges being laid." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
4 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Lois Tolley case unravelled due to poor practice, inadequate oversight not interviewing method, review finds
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers. Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro The police watchdog has found police questioning that resulted in accusations of false confessions was due to poor practice and inadequate oversight, not a controversial interviewing method. In 2021, the High Court ruled evidence in the Lois Tolley murder case was inadmissible because of issues with the way the man was interviewed, with the judge likening the interviewing method to a " cosy fireside chat ". The man's charges were subsequently dropped after the Crown case unravelled. The Independent Police Conduct Authority launched a review after receiving multiple complaints, finding that the model was not properly implemented and officers did not receive enough support to use it. The Complex Investigation Phased Engagement Model, which was introduced in 2018, was heavily focused on engagement skills and building rapport. Before it came along, the Authority found police interviewing skills were generally poor and officers lacked confidence. The review said the new interviewing model was "a laudable attempt to bridge the gap", but the normal processes for quality assurance and implementing the training were not followed and it was not reviewed by an independent expert until roughly two-and-a-half years after it was rolled out. The Authority examined five cases as part of its review, finding the questioning itself did not follow good practice or follow the Judges' Rules on Police Questioning in two of them. "However, these failures were generally not integral to (the model) and were due to poor practice and inadequate oversight." It found police leadership should have done more to support officers and proactively correct the perception that the interviewing model alone caused the downfall of the failed murder prosecution. The review found that while the police executive approved the use of the interviewing techniques, that approval appeared to be given informally and was not properly documented or signed off. It noted that police were addressing the problem, including a recent review recommending the creation of a new role to improve interviewing training. Lois Tolley, 30, was killed at her Wallaceville home in 2016. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police The Authority recommended that police set up the new role investigative interviewing manager to develop new investigative interviewing and engagement training and making it available to all staff, ensure interviewing trainers have the necessary operational experience and skills, and create a high level training for interviewing suspects and hostile witnesses. Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said police accepted the findings and the recommendations were being implemented. He apologised to the staff involved when the interviewing method came under fire, saying they should have been better supported. The programme was implemented with the knowledge and support of its leaders and staff involved acted in good faith to improve an acknowledged gap in interviewing, Chambers said. "While there are lessons to be learned for police, the staff involved displayed passion and dedication in working to try to advance difficult and complex cases," he said. The murder case interview was subject to an independent review which found that those involved were brought in to conduct the interview phase only and were not involved in making key decisions relevant to progressing the investigation. "In these circumstances, it would be both wrong and unfair for conclusions to be drawn that these staff were to blame for the charges being withdrawn," Chambers said. The police had internally reviewed the way it led, reviewed and managed serious crime investigations as well as commissioning a broad review on interviewing practices. Both sets of recommendations were being implemented and police expected to recruit the new manager in the coming weeks, he said. "Engaging with and interviewing victims, witnesses and suspects is a core policing skill and pivotal to advancing all investigations and other aspects of policing. "The police executive is committed to ensuring that NZ Police's interviewing training programme is world leading." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
4 days ago
- NZ Herald
Controversial CIPEM police interviewing technique under fire, IPCA recommends improvements
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has apologised after an independent report into a controversial interviewing technique deemed it 'manipulative and coercive'. The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) review scrutinised the use of the Complex Investigation Phased Engagement Model (CIPEM). CIPEM was developed to crack cold cases by engaging suspects reluctant
Scoop
4 days ago
- Scoop
Police Response To IPCA Report Into Complex Investigation Phased Engagement Model (CIPEM) Interviewing Method
Commissioner Richard Chambers: Police acknowledge and fully accept the findings and recommendations of the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) report into Police's use of the Complex Investigation Phased Engagement Model (CIPEM) interviewing method. The CIPEM interviewing programme was implemented in 2018 with the knowledge and support of the Police Executive, and the staff involved acted in good faith striving to improve an acknowledged gap in our interviewing capacity. While there are lessons to be learned for Police, the staff involved displayed passion and dedication in working to try to advance difficult and complex cases. Police acknowledge that more support should have been afforded to the officers involved at the time and apologise to the staff involved for not providing that support, particularly during a prolonged period of media reporting. The murder case interview referenced in the IPCA media statement was subject to an independent review, which found that those involved in that interview were not involved in the wider investigation management, including making key decisions relevant to progressing the investigation or prosecution. They were brought in to conduct an interview phase only. In these circumstances, it would be both wrong and unfair for conclusions to be drawn that these staff were to blame for the charges being withdrawn. Consequently, the internal review also focussed on the way the Police lead, review and manage serious crime investigations and an examination of those areas specific to that case. Police are unable to release a full copy of that review as it contains sensitive information that would prejudice further investigation and potential prosecution outcomes. A summary of the review (previously released under the Official Information Act 1982) is provided with this release. Police also commissioned a broad review of interviewing practices across all of Police, which was completed in November 2024. The recommendations of that review and the recommendations of the IPCA review are accepted and are being implemented as a programme of work. A full copy of this review is provided with this release. Police is also establishing a new position, the Manager Investigative Interviewing, to lead this programme of work, as was recommended by the IPCA. Police expect to recruit for this position in coming weeks. Engaging with and interviewing victims, witnesses and suspects is a core policing skill and pivotal to advancing all investigations and other aspects of policing. The Police Executive is committed to ensuring that NZ Police's interviewing training programme is world leading.
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Retailers relieved at police commissioner's clarification on when to investigate crimes
Retail crime group chair Sunny Kaushal. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The head of the government's retail crime advisory group is relieved police commissioner Richard Chambers has scrapped a controversial directive on shoplifting. A internal police memo obtained by RNZ told staff not to investigate crimes under a certain dollar value , prompting outrage from the retail sector before the directive was publicly scrapped on Tuesday. It included shoplifting under $500 , petrol drive-offs under $150 and online fraud under $1000. Retail crime group chair Sunny Kaushal said the clarity was very reassuring for victims around the country. "The clear comments from the police commissioner show police's commitment to responding to retail crime," he said. "And the clarity he provided on the thresholds for investigating shoplifting offences will greatly reassure victims of retail crime across the country." He said the confusion caused by the memo should not overshadow the great work of many police officers, particularly in Tauranga and Gisborne where Kaushal felt the response to retail crime was particularly strong. "There are pockets of outstanding practice across the country ... So the work that those police forces are doing should not be discounted by the confusion created by this directive," he said. But Kaushal was surprised to learn Chambers had not been made aware of the memo until its contents were published by RNZ. "That was a bit surprising, and I also understand the police commissioner is still new and he's still trying to settle [in]," he said. "This directive came like a bolt out of the blue, and the retailers I had been talking to were seriously concerned. I was getting so many calls." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
