New Zealand Police Union and Leadership Clash Over "Repay the Risk" Campaign

The Police Association hits back at a police memo banning protest materials, labeling the move an attempt to silence officers ahead of May 1st pay negotiations.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 17, 2026, 3:20 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

The Internal Memo and the Professionalism Mandate

On Thursday morning, a memorandum issued by Assistant Commissioner Jeanette Park reminded staff that "professionalism" must remain a core value during the upcoming bargaining period. The directive explicitly banned the display of stickers, decals, ribbons, and other non-branded materials on police uniforms, vehicles, and office spaces. Leadership argued that maintaining a standard image is essential for public trust and confidence, framing the restriction as a matter of institutional integrity rather than a suppression of labor rights.

Union Pushback and Allegations of Intimidation

The Police Association quickly rejected this stance, asserting that it is "highly professional" for officers to advocate for better terms and conditions. Association President Steve Watt described the leadership’s pānui (notice) as a strategic attempt to undermine their first-ever visible bargaining campaign in its 90-year history. The union maintains that because Commissioner Richard Chambers was briefed on the "Repay the Risk" materials beforehand without raising concerns, the sudden prohibition serves as a retaliatory tactic against the workforce.

The "Repay the Risk" Strategic Context

Since police officers are legally forbidden from taking strike action or "working to rule," the "Repay the Risk" campaign represents a shift toward visible, symbolic protest. The strategy includes a postcard campaign targeting Members of Parliament and the distribution of wristbands and stickers to draw public attention to the unique dangers of the role. The union argues that current remuneration fails to account for the increasing complexity of frontline policing, exposure to trauma, and the constant threat of violence faced by officers across New Zealand.