[kall]

WELLINGTON, N.Z. (AP) - Five New Zealand police officers were charged with dangerous driving Friday for being part of a high-speed motorcade that whisked New Zealand's prime minister to an airport so she could catch a plane to watch a rugby match.

The five policemen could be sacked if found guilty by a court, said assistant police commissioner Peter Marshall. A government chauffeur was charged as well. Prime Minister Helen Clark's 206-kilometre ride from the township Waimate to Christchurch airport in July took just 96 minutes, police inquiries revealed. Clark was rushing to catch a plane back to the capital Wellington to attend a rugby test match against Australia.

The high-speed dash by the three cars through several towns sparked widespread complaints from other drivers and witnesses.

Clark has repeatedly said she gave no specific instructions to her drivers.

One of the police officers is a member of the elite diplomatic protection squad, responsible for the security of senior politicians and other VIPs.

The six men are due appear in a court Dec. 14.

[Sparklechick]

Yes, apparently Clark didn't notice the speed in which they were travelling because she was busy running the country from the back of the limo. This incident occurred shortly after Clark showed support for the new campaign about passengers speaking up about how fast their driver was going .... ironic really isn't it?