Quarterly Summary - June 2010

Key Achievements

Recommendations 1 and 20 were completed this quarter.

Recommendation 1

"New Zealand Police (Police) should review and consolidate the numerous policies, instructions, and directives related to investigating complaints of misconduct against police officers, as well as those relating to the investigation of sexual assault allegations."

The numerous policies on each of the topics have been consolidated, reviewed, updated and delivered as stand alone single policy documents which have relevancy, currency and integrity. They are subject to an ongoing structured and managed process whereby they will subject to scheduled review and updating in order to ensure they maintain currency and integrity.

Recommendation 20

"In relation to investigations of sexual assault complaints against police officers or police associates, New Zealand Police should have in place systems that:

• verify that actual police practices in investigating complaints comply with the relevant standards and procedures
• ensure the consistency of practice across the country, for instance in the supervision of smaller and rural stations
• identify the required remedial action where practice fails to comply with relevant standards
• monitor police officers' knowledge and understanding of the relevant standards and procedures."

Police systems now provide that on receipt of a complaint the National Manager Professional Standards is advised.

The criminal investigation process provides for an independent investigator to be identified, tasked and terms of reference for the investigation to be agreed.

Investigations are monitored and the outcomes independently reviewed.

Employment investigation processes relevant to the matter are implemented in tandem.

Improved standards and procedures for the investigation process have been developed to ensure that Police procedures eliminate any potential or perceived conflicts of interest that may arise from the investigation process.

The policy covering Police Investigations of Complaints and Notifiable Incidents has also been approved.

Other Progress

Recommendation 60 – OAG Audit of the COI

Police received the Second Monitoring Report from the Auditor General in June 2010. Several recommendations have been made and Police have begun to address these. The overall sponsor of the Commission of Inquiry is drafting letters to Executive sponsors (for each recommendation) highlighting the results of the second monitoring report and ensuring the recommendation owners are aware of their responsibilities. It is therefore acknowledged that the following recommendations need to be re-opened:

Recommendations, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 34, 35, 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 48, 53, 54, 56, 57 and 58.

Although Recommendations 1 and 20 were open at the time of the second monitoring report, Police have subsequently suggested they are ready for closure. These recommendations will need to be assessed for closure as part of the third monitoring report.