Fijileaks: Many high-ranking serving Indo-Fijian officers left out in cold
 |  MIKE BUSH, mentor to Tudravu at Fiji Police headquarters |
From Fijileaks Archives
*On 9 August, Police reported that there was a break-in at Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama's Kiuva residence. Police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro said nothing was stolen as the intruder was disturbed by a caretaker who was inside the house
*We have been informed by our reliable police sources that the INTRUDER was allegedly MELI BAINIMARAMA who was staying at the house, and Police allegedly found DRUGS
*Apparently, Police were investigating Meli Bainimarama's alleged involvement in drugs
*They had two Policemen assigned to the case when Frank Bainimarama directly intervened and instructed the then acting Police Commissioner to drop the case and dismiss the two police officers
*Tudravu refused to dismiss his two officers as the drug case was already under investigation.
*On 11 August Tudravu was forced to tender his resignation, ending 39 years of his illustrious police career, and his application for the Police Commissioner's job was consigned to the dustbin.
*We believe Meli Bainimarama, on the orders of his father, has been forced to remain at the house, guarded by soldiers in plain clothes
Commissioner Mike Bush has today admitted a historical drink drive conviction.
He made the admission in his weekly blog, distributed to media.
Bush was convicted in 1983.
"I am using today's blog to make you aware of a response I have provided to the media that is likely to receive some attention, and to give you some background and context to that information," he started.
He said the admission was the result of inquiries by the media.
"I have replied today saying that while police [are] not permitted to pass on details covered by the Clean Slate Act to a third party, I am waiving my right, to disclose a conviction for drink-driving.
"The incident happened 34 years ago while I was an off-duty detective constable in Auckland in 1983.
"I pleaded guilty and was convicted. I received a $250 fine and was disqualified from driving for six months."
Bush was 23 at the time and had been a police officer for five years.
"I didn't lose my job at the time because it wasn't until 1991- eight years after it happened - that the then Commissioner of Police made it clear that subsequent drink-drive convictions for a police officer could place their career in jeopardy," Bush said.
"It was extremely poor judgment by me 34 years ago, for which I am sorry. I make no excuses. It is something I deeply regret and have reflected on ever since."
Bush said his name and occupation were reported in an Auckland newspaper at the time, as was standard for drink-driving cases back then.
He made the admission in his weekly blog, distributed to media.
Bush was convicted in 1983.
"I am using today's blog to make you aware of a response I have provided to the media that is likely to receive some attention, and to give you some background and context to that information," he started.
He said the admission was the result of inquiries by the media.
"I have replied today saying that while police [are] not permitted to pass on details covered by the Clean Slate Act to a third party, I am waiving my right, to disclose a conviction for drink-driving.
"The incident happened 34 years ago while I was an off-duty detective constable in Auckland in 1983.
"I pleaded guilty and was convicted. I received a $250 fine and was disqualified from driving for six months."
Bush was 23 at the time and had been a police officer for five years.
"I didn't lose my job at the time because it wasn't until 1991- eight years after it happened - that the then Commissioner of Police made it clear that subsequent drink-drive convictions for a police officer could place their career in jeopardy," Bush said.
"It was extremely poor judgment by me 34 years ago, for which I am sorry. I make no excuses. It is something I deeply regret and have reflected on ever since."
Bush said his name and occupation were reported in an Auckland newspaper at the time, as was standard for drink-driving cases back then.
Former New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush is off the shortlist for the most prestigious police job in London.
Bush, Commissioner from 2014 to 2020 and a police officer for more than 40 years, had been tipped as next Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.
The Met, as it is known, is headquartered at New Scotland Yard and employs more police officers than the entire New Zealand force.
The Times last month described Bush as a reformist who was "staking his claim on being the fresh broom needed to sort out the beleaguered force".
Subsequent UK media reports highlighted Bush's 1983 drink-driving conviction in New Zealand.
The conviction was widely reported five years ago.
Bush declined to confirm or refute reports he was after the Met Commissioner job, telling Newshub last month to refer queries to the British Home Office.
But in recent days multiple British media outlets have reported Bush was no longer a candidate.
The Guardian said Bush and two other frontrunners had been "eliminated" as contenders.
Police Commissioner Mike Bush had a varied and often dramatic career over four decades in different countries and cities.
"The rejected senior police leaders were eliminated after a panel read their written applications," The Guardian reported.
The Evening Standard said Bush would have been the first foreign Met Commissioner if he'd made it to the next stage of the recruitment process.
Bush, Commissioner from 2014 to 2020 and a police officer for more than 40 years, had been tipped as next Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.
The Met, as it is known, is headquartered at New Scotland Yard and employs more police officers than the entire New Zealand force.
The Times last month described Bush as a reformist who was "staking his claim on being the fresh broom needed to sort out the beleaguered force".
Subsequent UK media reports highlighted Bush's 1983 drink-driving conviction in New Zealand.
The conviction was widely reported five years ago.
Bush declined to confirm or refute reports he was after the Met Commissioner job, telling Newshub last month to refer queries to the British Home Office.
But in recent days multiple British media outlets have reported Bush was no longer a candidate.
The Guardian said Bush and two other frontrunners had been "eliminated" as contenders.
Police Commissioner Mike Bush had a varied and often dramatic career over four decades in different countries and cities.
"The rejected senior police leaders were eliminated after a panel read their written applications," The Guardian reported.
The Evening Standard said Bush would have been the first foreign Met Commissioner if he'd made it to the next stage of the recruitment process.
