❓ A parliamentary question addresses whether Superintendent John Watson was gagged from public speaking and if so, the reason and duration. The Minister denies disciplinary action but cites regulations restricting police comment.
AnsweredQoN 246Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Regarding policing in the great southern region - (1) Superintendent John Watson of Albany has been gagged or banned from public speaking by the Commissioner of Police, Barry Matthews. What was the reason behind this disciplinary action? (2) Can the minister confirm that it will be up to 12 weeks before this gag is lifted? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The document I have is dated 1 April 2004, so I do not know whether the currency of the answer remains after that date, but the Minister for Police and Emergency Services has in any event provided the following response - (1)-(2) The Commissioner of Police advises that Superintendent Watson has not been the subject of any disciplinary measures in accordance with section 23 of the Police Act 1892 and the Police Force Regulations 1979 in relation to public speaking. Further, all police officers are subject to regulation 607 of the regulations as stated inter alia - (2) A member or cadet shall not, except with the express permission of his officer-in-charge or the Commissioner - (a) publicly comment, either orally or in writing, on any administrative action, or upon the administration of the Force; . . . (c) communicate to the public, or to any unauthorised person any matter connected with the Force.
(1) Superintendent John Watson of Albany has been gagged or banned from public speaking by the Commissioner of Police, Barry Matthews. What was the reason behind this disciplinary action? (2) Can the minister confirm that it will be up to 12 weeks before this gag is lifted? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The document I have is dated 1 April 2004, so I do not know whether the currency of the answer remains after that date, but the Minister for Police and Emergency Services has in any event provided the following response - (1)-(2) The Commissioner of Police advises that Superintendent Watson has not been the subject of any disciplinary measures in accordance with section 23 of the Police Act 1892 and the Police Force Regulations 1979 in relation to public speaking. Further, all police officers are subject to regulation 607 of the regulations as stated inter alia - (2) A member or cadet shall not, except with the express permission of his officer-in-charge or the Commissioner - (a) publicly comment, either orally or in writing, on any administrative action, or upon the administration of the Force; . . . (c) communicate to the public, or to any unauthorised person any matter connected with the Force.
(2) Can the minister confirm that it will be up to 12 weeks before this gag is lifted? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The document I have is dated 1 April 2004, so I do not know whether the currency of the answer remains after that date, but the Minister for Police and Emergency Services has in any event provided the following response - (1)-(2) The Commissioner of Police advises that Superintendent Watson has not been the subject of any disciplinary measures in accordance with section 23 of the Police Act 1892 and the Police Force Regulations 1979 in relation to public speaking. Further, all police officers are subject to regulation 607 of the regulations as stated inter alia - (2) A member or cadet shall not, except with the express permission of his officer-in-charge or the Commissioner - (a) publicly comment, either orally or in writing, on any administrative action, or upon the administration of the Force; . . . (c) communicate to the public, or to any unauthorised person any matter connected with the Force.
Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The document I have is dated 1 April 2004, so I do not know whether the currency of the answer remains after that date, but the Minister for Police and Emergency Services has in any event provided the following response - (1)-(2) The Commissioner of Police advises that Superintendent Watson has not been the subject of any disciplinary measures in accordance with section 23 of the Police Act 1892 and the Police Force Regulations 1979 in relation to public speaking. Further, all police officers are subject to regulation 607 of the regulations as stated inter alia - (2) A member or cadet shall not, except with the express permission of his officer-in-charge or the Commissioner - (a) publicly comment, either orally or in writing, on any administrative action, or upon the administration of the Force; . . . (c) communicate to the public, or to any unauthorised person any matter connected with the Force.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The document I have is dated 1 April 2004, so I do not know whether the currency of the answer remains after that date, but the Minister for Police and Emergency Services has in any event provided the following response - (1)-(2) The Commissioner of Police advises that Superintendent Watson has not been the subject of any disciplinary measures in accordance with section 23 of the Police Act 1892 and the Police Force Regulations 1979 in relation to public speaking. Further, all police officers are subject to regulation 607 of the regulations as stated inter alia - (2) A member or cadet shall not, except with the express permission of his officer-in-charge or the Commissioner - (a) publicly comment, either orally or in writing, on any administrative action, or upon the administration of the Force; . . . (c) communicate to the public, or to any unauthorised person any matter connected with the Force.
(1)-(2) The Commissioner of Police advises that Superintendent Watson has not been the subject of any disciplinary measures in accordance with section 23 of the Police Act 1892 and the Police Force Regulations 1979 in relation to public speaking. Further, all police officers are subject to regulation 607 of the regulations as stated inter alia - (2) A member or cadet shall not, except with the express permission of his officer-in-charge or the Commissioner - (a) publicly comment, either orally or in writing, on any administrative action, or upon the administration of the Force; . . . (c) communicate to the public, or to any unauthorised person any matter connected with the Force.
. . . (c) communicate to the public, or to any unauthorised person any matter connected with the Force.
(c) communicate to the public, or to any unauthorised person any matter connected with the Force.
(1) Superintendent John Watson of Albany has been gagged or banned from public speaking by the Commissioner of Police, Barry Matthews. What was the reason behind this disciplinary action? (2) Can the minister confirm that it will be up to 12 weeks before this gag is lifted? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The document I have is dated 1 April 2004, so I do not know whether the currency of the answer remains after that date, but the Minister for Police and Emergency Services has in any event provided the following response - (1)-(2) The Commissioner of Police advises that Superintendent Watson has not been the subject of any disciplinary measures in accordance with section 23 of the Police Act 1892 and the Police Force Regulations 1979 in relation to public speaking. Further, all police officers are subject to regulation 607 of the regulations as stated inter alia - (2) A member or cadet shall not, except with the express permission of his officer-in-charge or the Commissioner - (a) publicly comment, either orally or in writing, on any administrative action, or upon the administration of the Force; . . . (c) communicate to the public, or to any unauthorised person any matter connected with the Force.
(2) Can the minister confirm that it will be up to 12 weeks before this gag is lifted? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The document I have is dated 1 April 2004, so I do not know whether the currency of the answer remains after that date, but the Minister for Police and Emergency Services has in any event provided the following response - (1)-(2) The Commissioner of Police advises that Superintendent Watson has not been the subject of any disciplinary measures in accordance with section 23 of the Police Act 1892 and the Police Force Regulations 1979 in relation to public speaking. Further, all police officers are subject to regulation 607 of the regulations as stated inter alia - (2) A member or cadet shall not, except with the express permission of his officer-in-charge or the Commissioner - (a) publicly comment, either orally or in writing, on any administrative action, or upon the administration of the Force; . . . (c) communicate to the public, or to any unauthorised person any matter connected with the Force.
Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The document I have is dated 1 April 2004, so I do not know whether the currency of the answer remains after that date, but the Minister for Police and Emergency Services has in any event provided the following response - (1)-(2) The Commissioner of Police advises that Superintendent Watson has not been the subject of any disciplinary measures in accordance with section 23 of the Police Act 1892 and the Police Force Regulations 1979 in relation to public speaking. Further, all police officers are subject to regulation 607 of the regulations as stated inter alia - (2) A member or cadet shall not, except with the express permission of his officer-in-charge or the Commissioner - (a) publicly comment, either orally or in writing, on any administrative action, or upon the administration of the Force; . . . (c) communicate to the public, or to any unauthorised person any matter connected with the Force.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The document I have is dated 1 April 2004, so I do not know whether the currency of the answer remains after that date, but the Minister for Police and Emergency Services has in any event provided the following response - (1)-(2) The Commissioner of Police advises that Superintendent Watson has not been the subject of any disciplinary measures in accordance with section 23 of the Police Act 1892 and the Police Force Regulations 1979 in relation to public speaking. Further, all police officers are subject to regulation 607 of the regulations as stated inter alia - (2) A member or cadet shall not, except with the express permission of his officer-in-charge or the Commissioner - (a) publicly comment, either orally or in writing, on any administrative action, or upon the administration of the Force; . . . (c) communicate to the public, or to any unauthorised person any matter connected with the Force.
(1)-(2) The Commissioner of Police advises that Superintendent Watson has not been the subject of any disciplinary measures in accordance with section 23 of the Police Act 1892 and the Police Force Regulations 1979 in relation to public speaking. Further, all police officers are subject to regulation 607 of the regulations as stated inter alia - (2) A member or cadet shall not, except with the express permission of his officer-in-charge or the Commissioner - (a) publicly comment, either orally or in writing, on any administrative action, or upon the administration of the Force; . . . (c) communicate to the public, or to any unauthorised person any matter connected with the Force.
. . . (c) communicate to the public, or to any unauthorised person any matter connected with the Force.
(c) communicate to the public, or to any unauthorised person any matter connected with the Force.
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