The Authority oversaw a Police investigation into an allegation an officer based in Waikato used a patrol car while on-duty for personal reasons without approval. A colleague suspected this was happening and placed a personal tracking device in the patrol car. The data from the device showed that the officer had travelled as far as Napier and Auckland while on-duty in the Waikato District.
The Police investigation found the officer had travelled to Napier for a work-related purpose, however the trip to Auckland was found to be for personal reasons. Police also identified two other occasions where the officer had taken the patrol car outside of the District for an extended period for non-work-related matters. On one of these occasions, the officer sent a text message to his supervisor detailing that he was busy with a work-related task. The officer admitted that this was a deliberately misleading message as he had used the patrol car for a personal matter.
Police found the officer was in breach of the Police Code of Conduct, and that his actions amounted to serious misconduct. The officer no longer works for Police.
Police also investigated the officer who placed the tracking device in the Police car, as well as his supervising officer, who was aware that the tracking device has been used and did not prevent it from happening or remove the device. Police found both these officers breached the Code of Conduct.
The Authority is satisfied with the Police investigations undertaken and the employment outcomes.
IPCA: 25-26153