Well Done Hawkes Bay!

I would like to take a moment to congratulate all Hawkes Bay staff on a 'job well done" during the incident that occurred last week. Reports from all quarters clearly indicate that both PPS and CIE staff responded in a prompt, professional and courageous manner to what was clearly a dangerous situation. As a result, the incident was quickly brought under control in an appropriate and timely manner.

Too often these days we hear negative comments about events in prisons and few, if any, take the time to acknowledge excellence and professionalism. It would appear that this incident is an exception to the rule and I am pleased to hear that both the Regional and General Manager of Public Prisons quickly commended staff at all levels for their actions.

It is a rarely acknowledged fact of life that Corrections Officers and their colleagues face danger on each and every occasion that they go on duty and we tend to take their presence and professionalism for granted. It sometimes takes incidents of this nature to bring us all back to reality and remind us exactly what the job entails.

Well done Hawkes Bay!

On a lighter note, I thought I'd finish the year off with some "quotable quotes" from the workplace:

"It's all water under a duck's bridge!" (South Island Regional Manager Paul Monk, when responding to a concern raised by CANZ).

"He was the one stood on the red dot when the music stopped!" (Northern regional manager Brendon Moynihan, when asked why a certain Officer had been singled out during an investigation).

"I'll be Frank!" (National PPS Manager and amateur impressionist Phil McCarthy).

"There was enough food to sink a donkey!" (Ex CANZ President Ray Rockhouse, when commenting on the PPS Golf Tournament function).

"I've only been here a few months, but I'm already an All Black!" (CANZ Northern Organiser Earl McCann).

Major Faux Pas of the Year: Shortly after arriving at work one morning, Northern Regional Manager Brendon Moynihan reached into his pocket for his cell phone and extracted - his TV remote controller! Exactly how much TV do you watch, Brendon?

Regards,

Brian Davies
National Organiser