"Not a good look"

That's Police Minister Judith Collins' view of the case of a senior police officer suspended after allegations of drunk driving. And its a fair comment - its not a good look at all when the police seem to think they are above the laws they enforce on everyone else, and where Police National Headquarters ignores both the Official information Act and the Public Records Act to cover for their mate.

But here's something else which isn't a good look: a Minister reacting to any demand for police accountability with snide insinuations and then outright claims that this is "undermining" them - as we saw in Question Time today:

Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I actually agree with Mr Cosgrove when he stated—as he was quoted today in the Dominion Post—that continuing speculation about the case damaged public trust in police and undermined their good work.

[...]

Hon JUDITH COLLINS: ...I think it is very important that the public have confidence in the police, and I am surprised that that member [Cosgrove] keeps wanting to undermine them all the time.

So, just to get this straight, the public's lack of confidence in the police isn't due to their misbehaviour - the rapes, the beatings, the spying, the coverups and unaccountability; the general attitude on behalf of some senior police offices (and seemingly their Minister) that they are above the law - but due to the people who complain about it and demand standards, accountability, and justice. Talk about blaming the victims. Bt its nice to know whose side she's on - and its not that of the New Zealand public.