Top cop joins QLDC as Official Information Advisor

by Peter Newport - Jun 21, 2021

One of New Zealand’s most senior police officers has changed career and joined QLDC as their Senior Governance and Official Information Advisor.

Phil Jones moved up the police force from being an Auckland Detective Inspector to being an Otago Area Commander before heading off to Australia and China as an International Police Liaison Officer. Mr Jones also headed the police Diplomatic and Witness Protection Services for four years.

He has a Bachelor of Arts, Sociology degree from Massey.

Crux asked QLDC’s comms team what the recruitment process was and how the council felt Mr Jones' extremely strong police background would make him a good fit with the Governance and Official Information role.

Departing council media and comms spokesperson Jack Barlow (right) - with QLDC CFO Stewart Burns (left) and Corporate Services Manager Meaghan Miller (centre)

QLDC supplied the following response via their media spokesperson Jack Barlow.

“The Senior Governance and Official Information Advisor position was widely advertised through a range of outlets including Seek, Q Jumpers and the QLDC website. It is a 12-month, fixed-term role. We will not discuss why Mr. Jones was chosen for the position.”

In another major staff change at the council, Mr Barlow himself is leaving QLDC on July 2. He told Crux today that the recruitment process for his replacement was “currently working through.”

Crux has encountered increasing difficulty in accessing public information from QLDC.

Main Image: November 8, 2018Phil Jones, police liaison at New Zealand’s Consulate General in Guangzhou, said New Zealand is expecting to expand cooperation with Guangdong police in the fight against drug trafficking and related cross-border crimes. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

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