[Full letter: Waihopai20police20resp2020320September202013.pdf]

Complaint regarding breach of policy and undesirable behaviour

Dear Mr Minto,

NZ Police have now concluded the investigation into your complaint to the IPCA dated 24 January 2013. This complaint related to Police actions at a protest that you were involved in at the Waihopai Base on 19 January 2013.

In your complaint you made two substantive allegations.

1. That Police staff at the protest had breached Police Policy by wearing Taser’s whilst working there

2. The Police officers at the protest had acted unprofessionally in the way that they dealt with a letter that the protest group was attempting to deliver to the Commander of the Waihopai Base...

Investigation Result

1. As a result of the investigation it is clear that some Police staff working at the protest were wearing Tasers and this is in breach of Police Policy. This complaint is Upheld...

2. The investigation into the second complaint has established that the protest group had moved onto the grounds of the Waihopai Base in an effort to deliver a letter of protest to the Base Commander. They then refused requests to leave by Police the grounds. At the same time the Police staff refused to accept the letter on behalf of the Base Commander.

While there are differing versions about the exact manner that the letter was dealt following this initial exchange l am satisfied that the actions of at least one Police staff member fell short of the professional standards that NZ Police expect. For that reason this complaint is Upheld.

The manner in which protests at the Waihopai Base are policed has also been reviewed in order to minimise future issues. This approach includes more dialogue with protest groups and leaders during such events.

The benefits of this approach were seen at the recent protest action at Waihopai in late July 2013 which passed without incident. This successful result was in part due to the protest group not attempting to make unauthorised access onto the Waihopai Base property...

A copy of this letter will be forwarded to the Independent Police Conduct Authority.

[Full letter: Waihopai20police20resp2020320September202013.pdf]

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