MP demands tougher controls on outside work

Police secondary employment rules need tightening in light of a serving officer who also walked a beat as a prostitute, says Ron Mark, NZ First MP and law and order spokesman.
Mr Mark said the matter raises questions about the vetting of police recruits and the protocols regarding serving officers who apply for secondary employment.
He said he would seek explanations from Police Minister Annette King and Police Commissioner Howard Broad, "so there is a clear understanding for both the police and the public".
"I thought it would be basic procedure and a no-brainer that they would know beforehand what sort of secondary work was being sought and that approval or rejection would be based on the nature of that work. It astounds me the police didn't already know," he said.
"If they are making sure that we have fit and proper people putting on the uniform ? and with the recent inquiries into the culture within police and the allegations made against senior police officers ? I assume they would have been addressing issues such as this as well.
"My concern is the association of criminals or gangs with prostitution. It is commonly known that organised crime and gangs have a large investment in massage parlours and brothels right throughout the country. They always have had, and clearly always will have.
"There is the very real possibility that a police officer could be quietly moonlighting as a prostitute and under threat of being found out, to be subjected to extortion or demands to provide information or turn a blind eye to criminal activities," he said.
"It's not what New Zealanders would expect, or accept, that a law enforcement officer was at the same time working as a prostitute. I would have thought the police would have been setting the standards.
"The public must have confidence in the person providing safety and security in their community," he said.
"To be a police officer there are certain things that are not compatible ? if you were in a motorcycle gang, or you have a criminal conviction, if you are dishonest or were not able to run fast enough. Or if you are a prostitute."
Mr Mark said the question of police pay scales is now being negotiated and he hopes "we'll see some upward movement in remuneration that better reflects the hardship of the work done by police".
He said that instead of police sanctioning secondary employment there should be a rise granted in overtime rates and encouragement given to officers wanting to work extra hours.
"In some countries overseas the police officers are so poorly paid they depend upon backhanders and racketeering to survive.
"That's not what we want to see in New Zealand and to date this is not the case," Mr Mark said.
"I know a hell of a lot of police officers who struggle with the cost of living in Auckland but they don't all rush out and become prostitutes.
"It's sad that this person has chosen to do so, and it won't reflect well on the reputation and credibility of the police force as a whole."