Police Association upset by inquiry

Press, 7 May 1987, Page 24

Police Association upset by inquiry

PA Wellington Policemen’s wives in the Gisborne district are concerned about the effect the inquiry into alleged police misconduct is having on their families. They met the Police Association’s industrial

advocate, Mr Graham Harding, about the anxiety the investigation is causing their families, Mr Harding said. The investigation relates to police activity during Ruatoria’s arson investigations. The Police Association had stepped into the inquiry by engaging its own legal counsel for the police under investigation, and the investigation would be conducted through the legal counsel, said Mr Harding. The policemen had not left a “stone unturned” during the investigation. They had handed over all relevant information including notebooks and diaries, he said.

“The well is dry.” Assistant Commissioner Stuart McEwen said he hoped the inquiry would be finished by the end of this month. The association’s stance of not allowing police to speak any further with the inquiry team was not making life any easier for the team, or bringing about a speedier resolution, but the inquiry was progressing, Mr McEwen said. The police could not be compelled to be interviewed by the four investigating officers. They had the same rights as members of the public in declining to be interviewed, he said.