Wellington Police District staff in e-mail inquiry

Wellington Police District staff in e-mail inquiry

Wellington Police District Press Release

Forty four staff in the Wellington Police District are caught up in a national internal police investigation for allegedly sending or holding inappropriate or potentially offensive images on the Police e-mail network.

Superintendent Rob Pope, Wellington Police District Commander, stressed that only a small proportion of sworn and non-sworn police staff in the Wellington District - which takes in Wellington City, Kapiti Mana, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt and the Wairarapa - are being investigated.

"We have 873 people providing policing services in our District, of which 44 are being investigated," he says. "While the investigation could result in some criminal or internal disciplinary charges, I am adamant that our frontline operational and investigative services to the public will not be affected."

Superintendent Pope says he is not prepared to identify the workplaces of those being investigated except to say they are men and women, ranging in rank from Constables to Senior Sergeant, and also non-sworn or civilian support staff.

The images do not involve child pornography.

"The reputation of the New Zealand Police and the professional integrity of all our staff is very important which is why the e-mail audit was initiated. Our people play an important role in society and we want to make sure that what we do and say reflects the high standards expected by Police and the public.

"It is disappointing that some of our people are caught up in this investigation. I do not condone the sending or receiving of inappropriate images which have been sourced from public and private sector groups as well as private addresses.

"It is important that the public are confident police staff operate in a professional and ethical way at all times

"News of the investigation is a sobering reminder to all our staff of the need to adhere to our guidelines around e-mail usage. The good news is that a problem has been identified by police and we are taking action on it."

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