The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) has issued a report detailing serious misconduct by a senior New Zealand police officer, alongside criticisms of the police response to a junior officer’s harassment complaint.
The complaint, initially filed in October 2023, was made by a junior female officer (referred to as Officer B) against her supervisor, a senior male officer (Officer A), for sustained inappropriate behaviour, including sexually suggestive comments, throughout a two-month secondment. The report reveals that Officer A’s conduct made Officer B increasingly uncomfortable and fearful that the behavior might escalate, prompting her to formally report the matter.
The IPCA’s investigation concluded that Officer A’s behaviour, which included inappropriate comments and over-involvement in colleagues’ personal lives, breached workplace conduct standards. The behaviour was found to meet the legal definition of sexual harassment under the Employment Relations Act 2000 and breached multiple police values and policies. Notably, Officer A reportedly showed little insight into or responsibility for his actions.
The report also highlights procedural issues in the police handling of the case. The police’s choice to proceed with an informal inquiry and then directly to a disciplinary meeting raised concerns of “predetermination,” potentially undermining fairness. Furthermore, both officers involved reported limited communication from police throughout the process, and Officer A ultimately resigned before the disciplinary meeting could take place. The IPCA criticised the lack of a formal investigation and suggested the police should have completed the disciplinary process to issue a formal finding.
Despite feedback from police challenging some findings, IPCA Chair Judge Kenneth Johnston KC upheld the report’s conclusions, underscoring the need for improved protocols in handling serious misconduct cases to ensure justice and procedural fairness.
Download the Public Summary Report here.
One of their own wins but a huge percentage of new Zealanders get bashed at the freedom camp and nothing to see here verdict??? IPCA needs an overhaul hiring independent people not ex police!!! Corrupt as always