The Authority oversaw a Police investigation into a complaint alleging an Auckland based-officer breached Covid-19 travel restrictions in November 2021 by travelling from Auckland (which was in Alert Level 3) to Te Aroha in Waikato (in Alert Level 2) and later travelling from Te Aroha to Taupō.
A criminal investigation determined the officer’s travel from Auckland to Te Aroha was permitted under a lawful exception provided in the relevant Covid-19 Order. However, he failed to comply with the Order when he then travelled from Te Aroha to Taupō, and has been charged for this.
The officer resigned from Police during the criminal investigation.
The Authority is satisfied with how Police conducted their investigations and the outcomes they reached.
IPCA: 21-9814