Two police officers stood down

One southern police officer has been suspended and another stood down, both on full pay.

A Gore-based police officer has been suspended from duty pending the outcome of court proceedings on fraud charges and, in a separate case, a Central Otago police officer has been stood down and is the subject of a police investigation, southern district operations manager Inspector Lane Todd said yesterday.

Insp Todd confirmed the Gore officer was stood down in late October last year and suspended on full pay in November.

The matter was before the Dunedin District Court so he was unable to comment further at this stage, he said.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority was also aware of the matter.

It is understood another person, not a police officer, faces a similar allegation in relation to the same matters.

Insp Todd said the Central Otago officer was stood down from duties, on full pay, two weeks ago.

He expected a three-month long investigation would be completed within a fortnight.

It was at a critical stage as to what direction it would follow, he said.

He declined to give any details about where the officer was based or their gender and said it was "not prudent" to talk about the specific details while the investigation was under way.

The Central Otago matter came to the attention of police at the end of December as a result of information received. It was not in response to any complaint by a member of the public, Insp Todd said.

"The community can have confidence that when issues are brought to our attention, we'll treat them seriously. If we have sufficient information and evidence that comes to our attention, we'll take action as required."

The officer had been stood down from duties for 30 days but had not been suspended.

Suspension was one of the consequences faced by the officer, depending on the outcome of the investigation.

A decision on whether to suspend an officer was based on factors including the welfare of the staff member concerned, the welfare of other staff within the workplace, public interest, the allegation that had been made and whether there was any risk to the integrity of the police.

The investigation was being carried out by police staff, who were selected carefully to ensure there was no conflict of interest, Insp Todd said.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority had been advised and would review the police investigation and the outcome.

It was a robust process to ensure the result was "independent".

Insp Todd said the officer's rights had to be considered throughout the process. Giving information about where the officer was based might identify the person.

"The employee has the right to anonymity, at this stage."

He declined to elaborate on the possible consequences the officer faced.

No other Central Otago officers were being investigated, Insp Todd said.

A spokesman for Police Minister Judith Collins yesterday said she had no comment to make at this stage.

- lynda.van.kempen@odt.co.nz