Media Release
For immediate release

Wednesday, 23 October 2013

Greg O'Connor Re-Elected as Police Association President

Delegates at the Police Association’s 78th annual conference have this afternoon re-elected Greg O’Connor as president for a further three year term.

“This is a time of enormous change in New Zealand Police, as our conference theme, ‘Policing the Future’, acknowledges. Experienced leadership is needed as our members navigate the challenges and uncertainties of restructuring, and embrace new ways of working,” Mr O’Connor said.

“I am humbled and grateful to the delegates, who on behalf of the wider membership have entrusted me once again to lead them as we strive to improve pay and conditions, officer safety, and the working lives of both constabulary and non-constabulary police at all ranks and levels.”

Mr O’Connor was elected president in 1995. In accepting the role for a further term, Mr O’Connor indicated that this would be his last term in the position.

“By giving this indication, I hope to give time for some of the incredibly talented police men and women, sworn and non-sworn, who make up our membership, to give consideration to putting themselves forward for election. They are the future of the Police Association; and that future is bright.”

Mr O’Connor also paid tribute to the unsuccessful candidates in the election.

“A contested election is a sign of a healthy democratic organisation with an engaged membership. The passion my fellow candidates have for the Police Association and for the interests of their fellow police has been clear for all to see. In taking on the role of president for a further three years, I thank them and undertake to learn from the ideas they have brought forward during the campaign.”

Biographical information: Greg is a Senior Sergeant in Police, seconded full time to the Association National Office. Elected to the position in 1995, Greg is the longest serving President in the Association's history. Greg has now been reappointed for a further term through to 2016.

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