"Police to investigate use of external security consultants"

Police has commenced an investigation into the use of external security consultants.

In June 2018 the State Services Commissioner announced the widening of the inquiry headed by Mr Doug Martin into the use of external security consultants to cover all of the State services.

Commissioner of Police Mike Bush says that while Police are not within the scope of this inquiry for legislative reasons, it’s important our actions are open to investigation:

“We recognise public concerns about the use of such consultants by state sector agencies” says Mr Bush.

“Our vision is to have the trust and confidence of all and it is appropriate that Police actions in this regard are closely considered to ensure we meet the expectations of the public and our own ethical standards.

“We are committed to ensuring that our investigation is consistent with the intent and purpose of the State Services Commission inquiry” says Mr Bush.

Police will liaise closely with the SSC inquiry team and seek guidance as appropriate to ensure that its own investigation is robust, transparent and conducted with the same rigour as the SSC process.

A senior detective will lead the police investigation, which is due to be completed by the end of October.

Police are also today releasing its terms of reference for the investigation.

No further comment will be made until the investigation is completed.

Terms of Reference:

The investigation will identify and report on:
1. Whether Police has engaged with any external security consultants, including but not limited to Thompson & Clark Investigations Limited (TCIL), the circumstances of and reasons for any such engagement, and the nature and outcomes of the engagement with external security consultants by Police.
Without limiting its scope, the Investigation will specifically report on:
2. Whether or not surveillance activities were undertaken by any external security consultants on behalf of Police and, if so:
(a) The nature of any such surveillance, either generally or relating to specific individuals;
(b) The extent to which Police requested that surveillance, and/or received information relating to that surveillance;
3. Any actions undertaken as a result of information received;
4. Any internal or external advice to Police relating to or produced as a result of engaging with external security consultants and/or any monitoring undertaken, including but not limited to advice relating to potential disclosure of the existence, nature or circumstances of any surveillance undertaken;
5. Governance and reporting mechanisms (or lack thereof) relating to engagement with security consultants; and
6. Whether or not, and the extent to which, any matters identified by the Investigation may have amounted to a breach of the New Zealand Police Code of Conduct.

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