Southern police are refusing to reveal what disciplinary action was taken against the dozens of officers subject to upheld misconduct allegations in recent years.
Data released by police under the Official Information Act earlier this year showed police investigations upheld at least 82 allegations of misconduct against sworn officers in the Southern district, encompassing Otago and Southland, since 2015.
The upheld allegations included falsifying a document, harassment, bullying or discrimination, improper use of force, violence, disgraceful behaviour and unauthorised use of a database.
A subsequent OIA request asked for details of disciplinary action as a result of these allegations, including whether each officer was demoted, sacked or otherwise subject to sanction.
Police professional conduct national manager Superintendent Anna Jackson, of Wellington, declined to release any information regarding disciplinary action taken against officers subject to upheld allegations, citing a need to protect the privacy of those involved.
The Otago Daily Times did not request the names, genders or ages of the offices involved and will appeal to the Ombudsman regarding Supt Jackson's decision.
Notable investigations where some or all allegations were upheld included. -
An Otago (encompassing Otago coastal outside of Dunedin and Otago Lakes Central) constable was investigated for an attempted suicide of a person in custody, a prosecution failure, an unlawful search, dishonesty and an allegation regarding ``exhibits'' in 2015, stemming from two incidents. All but the dishonesty allegation were upheld.
An Otago senior constable or above was investigated regarding the attempted suicide of a person in custody in 2015, before being subject to another investigation the following year for ``unauthorised use of a database''. The investigations upheld both allegations.
A Dunedin senior constable or above investigated for allegations regarding their attitude/language and failure to follow a lawful instruction in 2015, and subject to another investigation last year regarding a conflict of interest and unauthorised use of a database. All four allegations were upheld.
