Relieving Central District Commander Inspector Ross Grantham:

Police accepts the findings by the Independent Police Conduct Authority which investigated complaints against three officers involved in the investigation and trial regarding the murder of Palmiro MacDonald.

Mr MacDonald went missing in March 2016 and his remains were found several months later in Horowhenua. Police began a homicide investigation and three people were charged with his murder. However, charges against all parties were eventually dropped or dismissed in court.

We accept and agree with the findings by the IPCA that there were issues with disclosure of information but that these were not intentional or deliberate acts.

Since this incident, the Solicitor-General has issued guidelines for the use of inmate admissions evidence, and Police now require senior detective supervisors to review inmate admissions evidence against these guidelines in homicide investigations.

Police were also involved in the development of the High Court ‘Criminal Disclosure in High Court Trials’ practice note which was implemented in 2023. That practice note requires specific consideration of ‘inmate witnesses’ or ‘incentivised witnesses’ in terms of ensuring disclosure obligations are addressed.

Police are confident that these two significant changes to the process will avert as best as possible any future mistakes being made.

The IPCA recommended Police prescribe in policy that it be standard practice that all prison informant interviews being undertaken for the purpose of taking statements should be video or audio recorded.

Police do not agree with the recommendation, but will engage with the Authority in an effort to resolve the issue.

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