NZ police quit to work as security in Iraq

New Zealand police officers have been told they cannot work as security guards in Iraq while on leave, after three officers were forced to quit for doing so.

Police Minister George Hawkins, in a written response yesterday to questions from Green MP Keith Locke, said police became aware last November that three serving officers were working as security guards in Iraq.

Mr Hawkins had confirmed the three, who were on leave, all resigned and stayed in Iraq rather than return to work in New Zealand, Mr Locke said today.

Police investigated the matter and subsequently told all officers they could not work in Iraq while on leave, he said.

A "small number" of other officers have resigned from the police over the past year to work in Iraq, Mr Locke said.

Mr Hawkins had said no current police officers were now working in Iraq.

No officers had been subject to disciplinary action for working in Iraq, but presumably only because those concerned had all resigned, Mr Locke said.

From: NZ police quit to work as security in Iraq