Report of the Police 'Organised Crime Survey'

11 February 2000

Media statement from the Deputy State Services Commissioner

Report of the Police 'Organised Crime Survey'

The Deputy State Services Commissioner, Ross Tanner, said he was confident that State sector organisations in New Zealand were not subject to widespread organised criminal infiltration. Nonetheless, Mr Tanner said that the data reported in the New Zealand Police survey on organised crime - which was released yesterday under the Official Information Act - underlined the need for Government departments and agencies to remain alert.

"I am confident that Public Service chief executives and senior managers recognise that their departments - like any large organisations in the private or the public sector - can be vulnerable to unlawful or even criminal activity," Mr Tanner said.

"For that reason, the large departments in the core Public Service maintain active strategies to minimise their risks and to address problems where they occur. There are preventative and enforcement measures in place in those departments.

"Government departments offer full co-operation to the police and other enforcement agencies when specific problems arise.

"In recent months, the State Services Commissioner has noted to departmental chief executives that, while they are responsible for disciplinary matters within their departments, they should not show any leniency towards people who are using their positions to engage in any form of unlawful activity.

"The public can be reassured that the Public Service recognises that one of the foundations of its public credibility lies in minimising the opportunities for such activity and perceptions that there is the potential for such activity.

"The data which has been reported in the Police survey is phrased in general terms, and it does not claim to be an accurate measure of the actual incidence or range of organised criminal connections with State sector agencies. Indeed, the data was collected in 1998. Despite that, the data is a timely reminder to managers and workers in large public sector organisations to remain vigilant."

Ends

Further information: Owen Gill, State Services Commission, ph 4 495 6609

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