Outspoken probation officer fired

After months of speculating she would be fired for speaking to the media probation officer Josie Bullock has been officially sacked.

The outspoken officer was dismissed yesterday following a meeting at which she was given time to state her case before a decision was made.

An hour later she was fired for breaching her employer's code of conduct and told a letter would be sent out today.

Despite expecting the dismissal, Ms Bullock told the Herald last night that she was surprised the department made its decision so quickly.

Ms Bullock was suspended in July after speaking to the media about an oral warning she was given for refusing to stand behind men at a poroporoaki in December.

Ms Bullock, who worked for the department for eight years, said she spoke to the media to highlight sexist policies in an undemocratic organisation.

She said nothing had changed in the department and women's rights were still being pushed aside for Maori protocol.

Corrections probations and offender services general manager Katrina Casey said a policy was being developed to balance Maori protocol and women's rights.