Police are reviewing the sale of alcohol from their own bars as light is cast on an alleged incident at the Gisborne police bar involving pepper spray and drinking sessions.
Police say the review began at the start of the year and was not prompted by a particular incident.
"The police executive
have been concerned at the number of incidents involving staff members after drinking in police bars," acting deputy commissioner operations Assistant Commissioner Gavin McFadyen said.
Police stations around the country have their own bars where staff can buy a pint or a jug at considerably reduced rates. A jug costs between $5 and $5.60. A pint sells for about $2.80, compared with about $5 in a public bar.
Police National Headquarters in Wellington also has its own bar.
This week it was revealed a Gisborne police officer faced disciplinary action for allegedly pepper-spraying a female colleague in the face after a "jug session".
Constable Lisa Moore quit the force six months after the December incident. Her former partner complained she assaulted him the same night.
It is understood Ms Moore refused to drink a jug of beer quickly and decided to leave the police canteen, but another constable, Stephen Candy, said "no, you aren't" and allegedly pepper-sprayed her.
Mr Candy has been suspended and is facing internal charges.
Ian Miller, the former manager of Police Psychological Services and now a crisis management and forensic behaviour consultant, said it was not the first time things had got out of hand during a police "jug session".
A jug session is controlled by a "master of jug ceremony" who recalls police slip-ups, and sentences the guilty officer to drink a jug or glass of beer.
Dr Miller said drinking games were used by emergency services staff and the armed forces as a "coping mechanism".
"Outsiders would not understand this," he said.
Mr McFadyen acknowledged the stressful nature of the job, but said professional counselling was available to staff.
- Rebecca Walsh, NZPA
