A police officer who threw a large bag of seized cannabis into a skip bin because he could not be bothered completing the required paperwork had a criminal charge withdrawn and remains on the force.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority oversaw a police investigation into an Auckland police officer, with the summary of the probe released today.
The officer, based in the Counties Manukau district, took custody of a driver following the search of a car suspected of being stolen on July 2, 2024, seizing a large bag of a substance believed to be cannabis and drug paraphernalia. The officer issued the person with a summons to appear in court on a future date.
Weeks later, a supervising officer noticed the required paperwork had not been completed.
When questioned, the officer said he had become busy with another arrest that night and had thrown the cannabis and seized items into a skip bin in the police station carpark.
He also claimed he had not finalised the court summons because the driver was no longer in New Zealand.
Basic inquiries by the supervisor found no record of another arrest that night, and confirmed the driver was still in the country.
Police investigated and found evidence the officer had disposed of the items because he could not be bothered completing the paperwork.
The officer was charged with wilfully perverting the course of justice, but the charge was withdrawn and dismissed at court after prosecutors were unable to prove his actions were intended to prevent justice being done rather than being the result of laziness.
An employment process found the officer had breached both police policy and the Code of Conduct.
Counties Manukau district commander Superintendent Shanan Gray praised the supervising officer for pursuing the matter.
"The officer's supervisor has done the right thing and questioned the whereabouts of the required paperwork," he said.
But Gray said the conduct of the officer at the centre of the complaint fell well short of what was expected.
"What has taken place is a departure from our values. It's certainly not conduct we expect from our staff."
Gray confirmed the officer remains employed by police, saying the specifics of the employment process could not be disclosed.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority, which oversaw the investigation, said it was satisfied with how police had handled the matter and agreed with the outcome reached.
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