Nearly 3000 complaints have been laid against New Zealand police officers - and 244 officers have faced disciplinary action for misconduct - since the police code of conduct was introduced.
Only one officer has been dismissed as a result of misconduct, and the majority of the 66 who faced disciplinary action for serious misconduct resigned or retired before or after disciplinary hearings.
The figures relate to the period since the code was introduced, on February 1, 2008, until June 30 this year.
Fifty-five officers faced criminal charges in relation to allegations ranging from drink-driving to rape, with many suspended on full pay for more than a year while waiting for their court hearing.
NZ Police national manager of professional standards Superintendent Steve Hinds said that was because the organisation, more than any other, needed to ensure natural justice was seen to be done, which could lead to long-term suspensions as officers waited for court hearings.
He called the early resignation of officers facing probable dismissal a "win-win" situation for the police and the public.
Asked if he thought the lack of dismissals sent a message that police were not taking misconduct seriously, he said NZ Police could not stop someone exercising their right to retire or resign.
While the police internal disciplinary process was usually completed within a few months, officers could remain suspended for much longer while they waited for court hearings, he said.
The average wait for a district court trial at present is 310 days from the time a person is committed for trial.
But, as with anyone accused of a crime, the principle of innocent until proven guilty applied and long suspensions were unavoidable.
He noted not all officers facing misconduct proceedings were suspended on full pay and some facing less serious matters were given alternative duties while under investigation.
New Zealand Police Association president Greg O'Connor said the level of the union's involvement with a member facing disciplinary action was decided on a case-by-case basis.The association did not always support officers through a court process, particularly in more serious cases.
The union did not advise members facing serious misconduct proceedings on what to do, but outlined for them the available options.
A resignation usually resulted when a person accepted the "writing was on the wall".
Under the Police Superannuation Scheme, members' pensions - which are matched dollar for slightly more than a dollar by the police commissioner - were not affected by dismissal, resignation or retirement before, during or following disciplinary or criminal action against them.
Police officers were vulnerable to complaints, and sometimes officers would be charged on matters others might not be, Mr O'Connor said.
Seven southern police officers are facing police disciplinary proceedings:Dunedin: Duncan Hollebon, convicted of assaulting with intent to injure (appealing); still suspended after 19 months.
Dunedin: Brenton Rooney, convicted of injuring with intent to injure (appealing), still suspended after 19 months.
Alexandra: Neil Ford, convicted of perjury; still suspended after 18 months.
Alexandra: Dairne Cassidy, convicted of attempting to pervert the course of justice; still suspended after seven months.
Oamaru: Karl Vincent, convicted of indecent assault, still suspended after 12 months.
Gore: Officer suspended for 11 months pending the outcome of court proceedings on fraud charges.
One other southern officer is suspended while police investigate a code of conduct breach.
