New Zealand police defend decision to charge speeding policeman
{{date|January 25, 2007}}
{{New Zealand}}

The [[New Zealand]] [[w:New Zealand Police|police]] have defended their choice to charge a policeman with dangerous driving after being caught on a hidden [[w:Road safety camera|speed camera]] at around 65 kilometres over the legal [[w:Speed limit|speed limit]].

Sergeant Gregory Arthur Smith was charged with dangerous driving after he responded to a priority one emergency, which requires immediate police attention. Sergeant Smith was caught on a hidden speed camera at 115 kilometres per hour in a school zone, the legal limit was 50 km/h. Sergeant Smith was discharged without conviction in court yesterday.

Inspector Kerry Griffiths, has said that the police had made the correct decision to charge Sergeant Smith with dangerous driving.

Inspector Griffiths said that according to clear police policy, a police officer is not to put the public or other police officers into risk while responding to an emergency, under no exception.

Inspector Griffiths, ex-southern road policing manager, has claimed that there was already other police officer on their way to the crash and Sergeant Smith's speed was not warranted. He said that police have a duty to drive responsibly, even though they do have the power to exceed the speed limit.

== Related news ==
*{{Wikinews|title=New Zealand policeman caught speeding discharged|date=January 24, 2007}}
*{{Wikinews|title=New Zealand policeman caught speeding|date=January 23, 2007}}

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://www.newswire.co.nz/main/viewstory.aspx?storyid=355942&catid=30
|title=Police Heads Defend Decision To Prosecute Speeding Officer
|author=NewsRoom
|pub=newswire
|date=January 25, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.tv3.co.nz/News/NewsDisplay/tabid/209/articleID/19502/Default.aspx
|title=Police defend charging on-duty officer with dangerous driving
|author=
|pub=3 News
|date=January 25, 2007}}

{{published}}
{{archived}}
[[Category:New Zealand]]
[[Category:Oceania]]
[[Category:Crime and law]]
The New Zealand police have defended their choice to charge a policeman with dangerous driving after being caught on a hidden speed camera at around 65 kilometres over the legal speed limit.

Sergeant Gregory Arthur Smith was charged with dangerous driving after he responded to a priority one emergency, which requires immediate police attention. Sergeant Smith was caught on a hidden speed camera at 115 kilometres per hour in a school zone, the legal limit was 50 km/h. Sergeant Smith was discharged without conviction in court yesterday.

Inspector Kerry Griffiths, has said that the police had made the correct decision to charge Sergeant Smith with dangerous driving.

Inspector Griffiths said that according to clear police policy, a police officer is not to put the public or other police officers into risk while responding to an emergency, under no exception.

Inspector Griffiths, ex-southern road policing manager, has claimed that there was already other police officer on their way to the crash and Sergeant Smith's speed was not warranted. He said that police have a duty to drive responsibly, even though they do have the power to exceed the speed limit.
New Zealand Oceania Crime and law