Chris Cahill: Police Association President on the need for new laws around protests

The Police Association says clarification around protest laws are long overdue.  

An Independent Police Conduct Authority report makes several recommendations for laws which would protect protestor rights and ensure public safety.  

One law would let police and local authorities set conditions in advance about how a protest may be carried out.  

Police Association President Chris Cahill told Mike Hosking that will be helpful for police and protesters alike.  

He says that would set clear guidelines for behaviour. 

Cahill says Destiny Church is a good example of a group which often steps over the line. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
The police are looking at a way to handle protests.

(00:02):
This from the Independent Police Conduct Authority, calling for the
creation of a system to manage and control mass marches.
Common process overseas, of course, but not here. Police Association
President Chris Carhill back, Well, this Chris, very good morning
to you.

Speaker 2 (00:15):
Good morning Mike.

Speaker 1 (00:16):
Why have we not sort of this previously?

Speaker 2 (00:19):
Yeah, it's a bit of a wonder, especially the way
the world's change. I mean, demonstrations are gone from getting
the tench and you sell on and around the world.
They're really disruption of an intimidation and even violence these days.
And the big change too is the counter protests that
happen at the same time. So you've got two groups
opposing each other. And so it's an overdue, well overd What.

Speaker 1 (00:41):
Do or what are the rioting instructions when I'm a
comfortable going out to a protest? What am I told
to do? Currently?

Speaker 2 (00:49):
Well, generally you're told there's a fine line, and it
is very subjective, but generally you're told people are allowed
to protest, so don't get involved unless you have to,
unless you're see an obvious breach of the law. But
the problem with that is what's an obvious breach of
the law. I mean, should people be allowed blocked for
Auckland Harbor Bridge as a protest when people are trying

(01:10):
to go to work, trying to get to the airport,
these sorts of things. So I think having rules around
that so that people protesting, no, this is what you're
allowed to You step over that line, police can arrest you.

Speaker 1 (01:20):
Do you worry and settings? Do you worry in setting
up the rules? We're a little bit soft in this country.
The protest at the Hardbridge a very good one. In
my world, you don't do it because if I did
it today, I would expect to be arrested, and somehow
protests to get away with it. And once you get
size and volume, you get issues with resources and stuff
like that. So does this necessarily solve it? If they
don't do it right.

Speaker 2 (01:42):
It doesn't necessarily solve everything. But I think it's the same.
You're going to have problems arresting everyone. There's mass disorder,
and they agree that they're just going to break the law.
But you start targeting these organizers and the courts hold
them accountable, then you know, like destinies are good example,
isn't it. I mean that constantly pushing the life. If

(02:03):
they were to go over the new law, then some
of the key leaders could be charged individually and I
think held accountable. It's not never be perfect in a
prettiest situation, but at the moment police are left not
knowing really where they stand, many times.

Speaker 1 (02:16):
Between a rock and a hard place. Chris, appreciate your
time as always, Chris Carhill Police Association.

Speaker 2 (02:21):
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