The Authority oversaw a Police investigation into a complaint that an officer made multiple unprofessional comments towards a woman and unfairly targeted her during interactions between 2021 and 2025. The complaint included allegations that the officer provided inadequate care while the woman was in Police custody, took inappropriate photographs of her, and inappropriately touched her inner thigh while offering her comfort in 2021.

Police reviewed the interactions the officer had with the woman, including the photographs taken, and found that the officer’s actions complied with policy. Police also confirmed the officer’s interactions with the woman were for work-related reasons and found no evidence that the officer had unfairly targeted her or provided an inadequate level of care. The investigation established the officer involved was not employed by New Zealand Police in 2021 and therefore could not have been involved in the incident where she said he touched her thigh.

While the investigation did not uphold the majority of the allegations made, Police found the officer had made one unprofessional comment to the woman. The officer involved admitted they made this comment and the officer’s supervisor, who heard the comment when it was made, spoke to the officer involved about it at the time.

The Authority is satisfied with the Police investigation undertaken and agrees with their findings.

IPCA:25-27998