Police Commissioner Mike Bush has admitted an historic drink driving conviction while he was an off-duty officer.
Mr Bush waived his right to privacy under the Clean Slate Act following questions by media.
"The incident happened 34 years ago while I was an off-duty detective constable in Auckland in 1983. I was 23 years old at the time and had been in Police for five years.
"I pleaded guilty and was convicted. I received a $250 fine and was disqualified from driving for six months," he wrote in his regular blog.
He called it "extremely poor judgment…for which I am sorry".
"I make no excuses. It is something I deeply regret and have reflected on ever since."
He wasn't dismissed from the job because it wasn't until 1991 when the then Police Commissioner "made it clear that subsequent drink-drive convictions for a police officer could place their career in jeopardy".
The case was reported in local media at the time, which was standard practice for drink-drive charges.
The conviction was disclosed to the State Services Commission during the process of appointing him Deputy Commissioner.
Cmmr Bush says he's "personally committed" to doing whatever he can to prevent the harm drink-driving causes.
The culture around drink-driving has changed significantly since his conviction, Cmmr Bush says.
"Police has had a big part to play in driving that change."
Cmmr Bush was appointed commissioner in April 2014 and his term runs till 2020.
He is a former District Commander for Counties Manukau, a former Deputy Commissioner Operations and former police liaison officer based in Bangkok.
Newshub.
