Richard Chambers: New Police Commissioner on the gang patch ban coming into effect overnigh

Police have already acted on the new gang patch ban. 

The Gangs Act 2024 came into effect at midnight last night, banning the public wear of gang patches and insignia.  

New Police Commissioner Richard Chambers told Mike Hosking that at three minutes past midnight, Hastings police stopped a vehicle displaying gang insignia, and they are now facing prosecution. 

He told Hosking the person staff dealt with was respectful and followed the orders of police. 

“I’m happy with how that went, and I suspect there will be more to come,” he said. 

When asked whether he had enough resources to get the job done, Chambers said they will do their best with the staff they have. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
So we've got our new police Commissioner, Richard Chambers, takes
over from Andrew Costa, raccopper since nineteen ninety sixty, starts
his first five year term on Monday, and Richard Chambers
is with us. A very good morning to you.

Speaker 2 (00:10):
Good morning, Mike, and thanks for the opportunity to chat.

Speaker 1 (00:13):
This morning, not at all in congratulations. Did you join
the police in ninety six with a view to becoming
higher up?

Speaker 2 (00:20):
No, I didn't, actually, Mike. I joined because I just
wanted to be a good frontline copper and I love
my time on the front line, and that's why I'm
still really focused on, you know, what happens across our
country every day and every night by our wonderful frontline staff.

Speaker 1 (00:34):
How would you describe the current state of the police
force in this country?

Speaker 2 (00:38):
Oh? Look, I mean, you know, the policing is a
fascinating career which changes the variety the opportunities that we get.
You know, it's a great career and you know we've
had our challenges. You've got to remember that the men
and women of New Zealand Police are normal people just
like me. Mum's deads sons and daughters, and you know,

(01:00):
is tough. It's really tough where human beings do doing
our best and we're adapting to changes, you know, and
expectations of public So you know, it's a great occupation,
great career, and we're a bunch of fine people doing
God's work and it's great to be a payer of
the police.

Speaker 1 (01:20):
Are you cognizant that you joined at a time I
was looking at a list of previous police commissioners. I
think most New Zealanders could name Costa, probably most would
name Bush. Before that I'd start to struggle. And I've
been in the media for forty years. You're joining it
at a time when the police commissioner is a household name.
Is that good? And does it worry you?

Speaker 2 (01:40):
Well? It's an important, important role, Mike. We all understand
that you know, public safety and security. You know, there
are issues that are critically important to all New Zealanders,
So of course it's it's a high profile role. You know,
my frontline staff, they are the heart and soul of
policing in New Zealand, and that's why my job is
to ensure that they are well supported. So it's good

(02:03):
to see that, you know, New Zealanders take policing and
their safety and their security. Seriously. So we've got a
big job to do and it's an absolute privilege for
me to leave the organization.

Speaker 1 (02:14):
And do you have enough resource to do that job?

Speaker 2 (02:17):
Oh? Look, we have fifteen thousand incredible staff across the
country and off shore, and we will do our absolute
best with the resources that we have. And I'm confident
that we're going to make a real positive difference over
the next few years.

Speaker 1 (02:30):
And although you don't officially start until Monday, you join
us this morning. Of course. With the new gang laws,
are they good laws?

Speaker 2 (02:36):
Well, I mean three minutes past midnight last night, my
staff and Hastings stopped the vehicle an individual disclaying Gang
Sydney insignia in a public place and they're now facing
prosecution for that. So you know, I mean, we work
with the laws. Our job is law enforcement, and my
staff will adapt and do a marvelous job. We won't

(02:57):
always get it right, they might, you know, sometimes we
make this That's why I say, with human beings. But
so long as we approach the work that we do
with a learning mindset and wanting to be better than
you know, we're in a good position to adapt to
any challenge.

Speaker 1 (03:11):
And did that situation at three minutes past midnight go down? Well?

Speaker 2 (03:14):
Did it?

Speaker 1 (03:14):
Or was there some ankst around me?

Speaker 2 (03:17):
No? No, My staff did a marvelous job. I dealt
with it incredibly professionally. The person that we were interacting
with was respectful to the police staff. So I'm you know,
I'm happy with how that went, and I suspect there'll
be more such interactions to come.

Speaker 1 (03:35):
We'll talk over the next five years. Appreciate your time.
Go well. Richard Chambers, the new police Commissioner. For more
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