A Queenstown woman who wants a manager's certificate was given six months to adjust her attitude towards one police officer by the Queenstown Lakes District Licensing Committee yesterday.
Rachel Whatham had applied for a new manager's certificate, but that was opposed by Liquor Licensing Sergeant Linda Stevens, who said Ms Whatham's ''behaviour and conduct'' during a police visit to Surreal late last year ''showed she failed to live up to the standards expected''.
Sergeant Blair Duffy, of Queenstown, said Ms Whatham exhibited ''the worst behaviour I have come across in all my years of policing'' during his visit to the bar about 2.30am on December 18.
While Ms Whatham accepted she was ''defensive'', she contended it was only in reaction to Sgt Duffy's ''aggressive'' approach.
Sgt Duffy said he and a colleague visited the bar after noticing a man outside who appeared to be asleep.
Ms Whatham was the temporary manager on duty.
He told committee chairman Bill Unwin and members Malika Rose and John Mann that Ms Whatham was ''extremely argumentative ... immature and difficult to deal with'' and ''took issue with the authority of the police''.
Sgt Duffy said Ms Whatham told him police had interrogated staff and patrons during previous visits and she felt the bar was ''being picked on''.
While his colleague was assessing the patron - who was found not to be intoxicated - Ms Whatham was ''constantly interrupting me and spoke over me, was patronising and appeared not to be conversant''.
''She lacked an understanding of the police role and made no attempt to listen or take on board the advice of police.
''It was evident, almost immediately, this was a lost cause.
''The real issue [that night] had in fact been the contact with Ms Whatham.''
However, Ms Whatham told the committee Sgt Duffy was ''intimidating and aggressive'', he had invaded her personal space and ''bullied'' her.
She took issue with allegations the patron was intoxicated as he had only just been served his first drink at the bar.
At the time the police saw him he was looking at his phone - which was in his lap - giving the appearance he was asleep, but he was fully cognisant.
It was a ''clear case'' of the police ''jumping to conclusions without remotely investigating first'', she said.
Mr Unwin said the licensing system was based on ''mutual respect between the industry and the agencies'', but that was lacking in Ms Whatham's case.
''You have just given a rendition of the lack of respect that you have for the police ... well, for one member.''
Ms Whatham denied she had a lack of respect in general, but alleged Sgt Duffy was ''bullying me and yelling at me''.
When Mr Unwin asked how she thought the issue could be resolved she responded: ''I'm not sure.''
He then asked how she intended to get a manager's certificate if she did not have respect for a long-serving member of the police.
Ms Whatham said she did respect Sgt Duffy but she felt ''rattled and shocked'' by the way he had spoken to her that night.
''Well, you're not showing much sign of it, if you don't mind my saying it,'' Mr Unwin replied.
Ms Whatham said she wanted to apologise to Sgt Duffy, but said he also owed her an apology. While she was ''defensive'' he was ''aggressive''.
After an adjournment Mr Unwin said the committee intended to adjourn the hearing for six months to enable Ms Whatham to resolve the issue.
He hoped Ms Whatham and Sgt Duffy could have a ''facilitated meeting'' before the hearing resumed.
''We don't want to lose the applicant from the industry, but we will if something doesn't change.''
A temporary certificate was issued in the interim.
