Deputy Police Commissioner Rob Pope is being investigated following allegations that he swore a misleading affidavit in the inquiry into the murder of Olivia Hope (17), and Ben Smart (21) in the Marlborough Sounds on New Year's Day 1998.
The investigation follows a complaint by Chris Watson, whose son Scott Watson who is serving a life sentence with a minimum non-parole period of 17 years for the pair's killings.
It had been thought that the Independent Police Complaints Authority was the only body looking at the allegation, but the Herald on Sunday reported that police themselves were also looking at the case.
Police spokesman Jon Neilson confirmed yesterday the investigations were taking place. He said no further comment could be made while the inquiry was proceeding.
Police southern crimes manager Ross Pinkham is handling the police investigation.
Chris Watson has since written to police saying he is unhappy ‘‘one of Pope's subordinates'' was heading the inquiry, rather than an equal or higher-ranked officer.
Assistant Commissioner Gavin Jones confirmed in a letter to Chris Watson dated March 11 that Mr Pinkham was ‘‘conducting inquiries into one specific area of the investigation - that is the affidavit sworn by Mr Pope and related issues'', the Herald on Sunday said.
Mr Pope was accused of providing misleading information to obtain interception warrants in 1998 to bug Scott Watson's yacht, home and telephones.
Act New Zealand leader Rodney Hide has also asking if Police Minister Annette King knew Mr Pope was the subject of the inquiry when he became deputy commissioner in 2006.
A spokesman for Mrs King said yesterday that Mr Pope got his current job after a ‘‘robust and thorough'' process.
