Members may have noted weekend press reports from the Office of Police Integrity ("OPI") marking the anniversary of its Directors' new powers.  Unfortunately, the OPI is reported as commenting critically about your Association for supposedly standing in the way of anti-corruption initiatives.

Further, comments attributed to the Director in these reports outline unsubstantiated and generalised claims of corrupt activities which serve to sully the fine reputation earned by our members.  

The Police Association ("the Association") responded as follows:

• The Association and its members have always been committed to ensuring that the ethical well-being of our profession is maintained whilst also protecting the rights of Police as workers - and equally members of the community. Claims that the Association has inhibited the use of video recorders during the execution of warrants or the interview of suspects are factually incorrect.
• The Association acknowledges the tireless commitment of our members in protecting the community, and is continually disappointed by the OPI's failure to acknowledge the overwhelming public support our members enjoy and the good work they perform in, often, very difficult circumstances.
• Inappropriate public comment that undermines the good reputation of our membership have been made on regular basis by the Director, OPI, such that on the 7th of August 2005 this resulted in members autonomously (and unanimously) resolving a motion of censure against Mr. Brouwer that was subsequently adopted by delegates and endorsed by our executive.
  
  We know that our members will continue to serve our community with dedication and professionalism.  We hope that in future, comment made by the OPI is factual, specific and substantiated. The Association remains committed to ensuring that the integrity and fine reputation earned by you, the membership, are not unfairly and gratuitously tarnished.

PAUL MULLETT
Secretary