Appalling behaviour won't be tolerated

"The appalling behaviour of a few officers in South Auckland who featured in a recent trial will not be tolerated within Police, the Assistant Commissioner for Crime and Crash Reduction, Peter Marshall, said today.

The initial indications are that this involves only a small group of officers in the Counties Manukau District," said Mr Marshall.

The District Commander for Counties Manukau Superintendent Steve Shortland has asked for support from outside the district to take the lead in the investigation of the behaviour, to determine its extent and identify those involved.

Mr Marshall said this request would be met and the Acting Commissioner, Steve Long, was in discussions with the Police Complaints Authority as to how such an investigation could include an independent component. An announcement on this will be made within the week.

Support is also to be provided for Mäori, Pacific Island and Asian Liaison staff in South Auckland who may have concerns about their own standing within their communities over this misconduct by officers.

"This kind of behaviour affects us all. The vast majority of Police staff are conscientious and proud to be a member of an organisation serving the public of New Zealand."

"I want to assure the public that Police will do everything to identify any other culprits and put an end to this abhorrent kind of behaviour as quickly as possible," said Mr Marshall.

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