Monday, June 8, 2026

Police chief rebukes cop over Labour candidacy

Rakesh Naidoo Labour candidate
Rakesh Naidoo (L), Richard Chambers (R).

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has criticised Superintendent Rakesh Naidoo for failing to disclose earlier that he was seeking a place on Labour’s election list, saying he was only informed days before Naidoo’s candidacy was announced.

In a statement Chambers said police policy requires staff intending to stand for public office to notify management as early as possible to manage potential conflicts of interest and protect the organisation’s political neutrality.



Naidoo, who serves as Police’s “ethnic, iwi and communities relationships manager” and is ranked 13th on Labour’s list, is expected to take leave while discussions continue over arrangements ahead of the election.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell also expressed concern, noting Naidoo had recently attended sensitive briefings and public events in his official role, arguing that greater transparency was needed to maintain public confidence in the political independence of Police.

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