Kenneth Brown
Captain
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2003
- Messages
- 3,481
PROBLEMS MOUNT: Commissioner Rob Robinson announces 330 staff are under investigation. About 30 images found on computers were 'explicit images of sex acts of a nature and quality I view very seriously', he said. <br />MAARTEN HOLL/Dominion Post <br /> <br /> <br /><br /><br />330 police in porn probe <br />22 April 2005 <br />By CHALPAT SONTI and TRACY WATKINS<br /><br />An embattled New Zealand police force has taken another hit with 330 staff under investigation for viewing sexually explicit images on their computers. <br /><br /><br />Police will not say who they are, but the superintendent is likely to be one of the country's 12 district commanders. <br /><br />Canterbury has the most 61 followed by Wellington with 44. <br /><br />Some face criminal proceedings or dismissal. None has been stood down pending the investigations. Those in the firing line were told yesterday. <br /><br />The porn probe is the latest in a series of hits for police; investigations are being carried out into their conduct, and the 111 emergency system. <br /><br />Central district commander Superintendent Mark Lammas who has 27 constables and two sergeants under investigation said the latest matter was the worst. <br /><br />"Sometimes we shoot ourselves in the foot with a slug gun . . . With this one we've got out a double-barrelled shotgun and shot ourselves in both feet." <br /><br />The revelations came as the Government moved yesterday to reopen the near-defunct commission of inquiry into police culture, in an attempt to deflect a mounting crisis of confidence in the force. <br /><br />The inquiry had been set up to hear sexual-assault allegations against police but was close to disbanding because of problems hearing evidence after criminal charges were laid. <br /><br />Yesterday's announcement follows a five-month investigation after an internal audit of police email systems in November found more than 5000 contained sexually explicit material. These were estimated to clog up 20 per cent of police computer capacity. <br /><br />Police are now bracing for a backlash against frontline staff in light of the email inquiry, and the police union called the actions of those caught "stupidity". <br /><br />Police Commissioner Rob Robinson would not go into detail about the images found on computers, but said they were "not mere nudity". About 30 were "sexually explicit images of sex acts of a nature and quality I view very seriously". <br /><br />None of the images were of children but some were violent. <br /><br />Included in those under investigation are about 40 women and 24 civilian staff. None are part of the police executive. <br /><br />Mr Robinson said a "significant number" of images had been sent from outside the police. However, it was all on police computers. <br /><br />The district-level investigations are expected to be completed by May 27. <br /><br />Eastern district commander Superintendent Grant Nicholls said the news that eight of his staff, including a detective, were under investigation was doubly disappointing given six staff were disciplined for similar offences last year. While most investigations were being carried out by staff in the same district, he may bring in a senior officer from outside. <br /><br />Staff were doing their best to get on with the job after hearing the news. <br /><br />Wellington district commander Superintendent Rob Pope said it was "a big hit on our reputation". <br /><br />The highest rank under investigation in the district which covers Kapiti, Porirua, Wairarapa, the Hutt Valley and Wellington city was a senior sergeant. <br /><br />Police Association president Greg O'Connor said the investigation was a wake-up call for police. Despite earlier warnings and an audit in 2003, the actions of those caught amounted to stupidity. The investigation showed New Zealand had one of the most open police forces in the world and staff needed to realise their actions would be under constant scrutiny. <br /><br />The association had received several calls yesterday from members under investigation and would ensure they were fairly treated. "But we're not here to keep people in the police who shouldn't be here." <br /><br />Police Minister George Hawkins refused to comment directly on the allegations but said offensive behaviour by any officer would not be tolerated. <br /><br />"Police are only too well aware that they represent the law but are not a law unto themselves." <br /><br />National's police spokesman, Tony Ryall, said the ordinary officer on the beat was a "good person" working under difficult circumstances to do the best job he or she could. <br /><br />But the public had lost confidence because of the Government's insistence that they give traffic enforcement a higher priority than other duties.
