Dr Mike Rowe (UK), Tā Kim Workman (NZ), Insp Scott Gemmell (NZ), Helen Leahy (NZ), Chaired by Deputy Chief Constable Tyron Joyce (UK)
New Zealand Police is undertaking an evidence-based approach to identify whether, where and, to what extent systemic bias may exist to ensure police policy and practice is fair and equitable to all. The research project, titled Understanding Policing Delivery, places strong emphasis on working alongside Police as a core community rather than doing it to the Police. This panel will discuss the progress and key learnings the project has been made over the past 12 months as well as issues of bias in policing globally and the significantly poor outcomes if not addressed.
Biography
Mike Rowe
Dr Mike Rowe was, for a number of years, a civil servant working in both management and policy roles. He left to complete a PhD, sponsored by the National Audit Office, and he retains an interest in all things public service and public policy. In research, this has included work on the concept of accountability and on urban regeneration partnerships. More recently, and with colleagues, Dr Rowe has written on community land trusts and housing policy. This interest continues and embraces other forms of community activism and social enterprise. However, his main research interests at present are in policing. Again with colleagues, he has been involved in a six-year ethnographic study of police discretion, observing uniformed officers in the course of their duties. This is now bearing fruit in the form of publications, with a first book published by Hart in 2020 and a second to come from Routledge. He is also Vice Chair of an EU COST Action on Police Stops. This research reflects a coming together of two interests, in public services and in ethnographic research. Since 2006, Dr Rowe has been part of the organising team for the annual Ethnography Symposium (www.liverpool.ac.uk/ethnography) and, from 2012-2021, founder and co-editor of the Journal of Organizational Ethnography.
Ta Kim Workman
Kim Workman (of Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa and Rangitaane) is a retired public servant, whose career spans roles in the Police , the Office of the Ombudsman, State Services Commission, Department of Māori Affairs, and Ministry of Health. He was Head of the Prison Service from 1989 – 1993. He is a graduate of Massey University, and has completed post-graduate study at the University of Southern California, and Stanford University.
In 2000, Kim was appointed National Director, Prison Fellowship New Zealand (PFNZ), and retired from that position in 2008. In 2005, Kim was the joint recipient (with Jackie Katounas) of the International Prize for Restorative Justice.
He was made a Companion of the Queens Service Order (QSO) in 2007.
He served as a Families Commissioner from 2008 – 2011.
In 2006 Kim joined with the Salvation Army, to launch the “Rethinking Crime and Punishment” (RCP) Project. In 2011 he formed Justspeak, a movement that involves youth in criminal justice advocacy and reform.
Over the last five years, Kim has increasingly contributed to the academic literature, in the areas of criminal justice policy, Treaty and Māori development issues, racism and inequality, culture and identity. He is currently an adjunct research associate at the Institute of Criminology, Victoria University. In 2015 he was awarded the R.D. Stout Fellowship at the Stout Centre for New Zealand Studies, and is currently completing a publication on ‘The Criminal Justice System, the State, and Māori from 1985 to the present’.
In 2016, Kim was awarded the degree of Doctor of Literature (DLitt Well) by the Council of Victoria University, and in 2017, the same degree by the Council of Massey University. In February 2018, Kim was awarded Senior New Zealander of the Year, under the New Zealander of the Year Awards Scheme.
In 2019, Kim was appointed as a Knight Companion to the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM). In the same year, he completed an eight month intensive te reo course at Te Wānanga o Raukawa.
His memoir, ‘Kim Workman – Journey towards Justice’ was published in November 2018.
Kim was recently appointed to the Human Rights Review Tribunal, and is a member of the Parole Board. He is on the Police External Advisory Group on Pae Oranga (Iwi Community Panels, and chairs the Independent Panel for the ‘Understanding Policing Delivery’ Project.
Kim has six children, 10 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He enjoys listening and playing jazz.
Scott Gemmell
I am of Ngapuhi and Scottish descent. I am married to Grace and we have 5 children aged 16-7. We maintain a bilingual household. I have a masters in law from Auckland University. I commenced in the NZ police in November 2002 working in counties Manukau, Auckland. I became a detective in 2006 working on various operations in and around Auckland. In 2007 I joined the armed offender’s squad and remain there today as commander. In 2009 I joined the special tactics group, a national-based team. In 2017 I left the STG and returned to district policing. I was fortunate to be the Maori responsiveness manager for the Auckland city district. I have been relieved as the operations manager for Auckland and as area commander for the Auckland city area. Recently I was promoted to area commander in counties Manukau east area. I was offered the role of chair for the operational reference group to UPD, which I gladly and humbly accepted. Outside of the police, my time revolves around family. This means I’m a driver for our children’s extra curricula pursuits which include Kapa haka, manu korero, swimming, netball, touch rugby and rugby union. I am privileged to be the chair of Te kura Maori o nga tapuwae board. My passion is for the prosperity of our communities, to entrench great values and bear witness to the enthusiasm of young people to be the best they can be.
Helen Leahy
Helen is the Pou Arahi / Chief Executive for Nga Waihua o Paerangi Trust (Ngati Rangi). Ngati Rangi is a central North Island iwi (https://ngatirangi.com/) based at the western and southern foot of Mount Ruapehu, with approximately 3000 registered members.
Prior to this role, Helen was the Pouārahi/CE of the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency for the South Island, Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu. She has worked in a range of sectors including education, Māori development and sexual and reproductive health. She is a trustee on Te Hauora o Ngati Rarua (health services) and a trustee for Digital Wings (which facilitates redistribution of electronic equipment from corporate entities to community organisations, to enhance educational and employment opportunities). From 1999 to 2014, Helen was based at Parliament, where she held several roles, including Chief of Staff and Senior Ministerial Advisor for the former Minister of Whānau Ora. In 2015 she was a member of the Expert Advisory Panel for the modernisation of Child, Youth and Family, and until 2022 a member of the Māori Design Team for Oranga Tamariki; and a member of the Disability Support System Transformation steering group. More recently she has been a member of a number of health sector committees related to public health and COVID-19. She is also a member of the Energy Hardship Expert Panel and the Governance Group – family and sexual violence – for the Department of Corrections.