The Authority oversaw a Police investigation into an allegation a Counties Manukau-based Police officer improperly disposed of a large bag of cannabis and failed to lay charges.
Following the search of a car suspected of being stolen, the officer had taken custody of the driver as well as a large bag of a green substance Police suspected to be cannabis and another bag containing pieces of drug paraphernalia. He then issued the driver with a charge and summons for possession of cannabis and took the driver home.
Some weeks later, a supervising officer noticed the required paperwork from the incident had not been completed. When questioned, the officer said he had become busy with another arrest that night and, because of this, he had thrown the cannabis and other seized items into a skip bin in the Police station carpark. He added that he had not finalised the court summons because the driver was no longer in New Zealand. Basic enquiries conducted by the supervisor showed that there was no record of the officer having another arrest that night, and that the driver involved was still in New Zealand.
Police investigated and confirmed the officer’s explanation was untrue, finding evidence that the officer threw the items into the skip bin because he could not be bothered to complete the required paperwork.
Police charged the officer with wilfully perverting the course of justice. However, at Court, the charge was withdrawn and dismissed as the prosecution were unable to prove that the officer’s actions were intended to prevent a court from doing justice and were not simply due to laziness.
Police then conducted an employment process for the officer and found the officer’s actions breached the Code of Conduct and Police policy.
The Authority is satisfied with Police’s investigation into this matter and agrees with the outcome reached.
IPCA:24-25789