The House is sitting under Urgency rules to pass through all stages a bill validating the oaths taken by police officers.
Leader of the House Gerry Brownlee said between October 2009 and October 2013 the oaths undertaken by police were not performed in a valid way and left police officers open to claims of illegal use of powers
A self-described irritated Brownlee said it was the second time police had come to Parliament to validate their actions in this area and it did not reflect well on them. The last validation Act was passed in 2009.
Police Minister Anne Tolley said the Policing (Constable’s Oaths Validation) Amendment Bill would retrospectively ensure those administering the oaths had the powers to do so. This had not been done under the law for the past four years.
The first reading was taken immediately on a voice vote and the second reading debate began.
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