Will police prosecute themselves?

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Will police prosecute themselves?

3News NZ

Police Minister Anne Tolley

Police Minister Anne Tolley

By Adam Ray

Police Minister Anne Tolley says she has no concerns about a special police unit responsible for two high-profile botched investigations.

The Organised and Financial Crime Agency (OFCANZ) led the troubled inquiry into internet millionaire Kim Dotcom and an undercover gang operation that's been slammed by a judge.

Police smashed their way into the Red Devils' Nelson headquarters last year, but ended up damaging their public image as well.

A High Court justice found an undercover operation into the gang abused court process, with a fake warrant and false charges.

Tony Bouchier, a former undercover officer who heads the Criminal Bar Association, agrees with Justice Simon France's decision.

“I think France's decision is absolutely correct. I think he has given the police an absolute spanking.”

He says police need to be investigated by someone outside the force.

“There must be an independent inquiry into this case and other cases that might have occurred with a view to what action should be taken against officers involved.”

Police Association president Greg O’Connor says while officers' actions were unacceptable to the judge, he shouldn't have thrown out charges against gang members.

Labour MP Kris Faafoi says the problem is more about a Government funding squeeze than police themselves.

“Training's under pressure and the frontline's being asked to do much more with much, much less.”

Ms Tolley says Labour can't be serious.

“There are no funding cuts, for a start.”

Ms Tolley still supports the OFCANZ unit, despite how it's bungled both the Dotcom case and the Red Devils investigation.

“I have no doubts that OFCANZ are doing their best to fulfil their duties.”

Police say they're still reviewing the court decision. They have two weeks to decide whether to appeal it.

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Comments

26/10/2012 8:29:05 a.m.

Aquavit wrote:

Hardly the police investigator's fault. They doing the best they can. The administration in the police has to take the blame. Fact: the police administration are getting rid of the wise old heads. The senior detectives and officers that have been around for years and know exactly what to do and how to do it. Why? Because it costs to much to run them. Higher pay scales due to seniority grandfathered allowances, etc. they are being replaced with cheaper to run young guns who, whilst one can admire their enthusiasm just don't have the wherewithal to fight A organised crime, and B organised lawyers. Some of the Police bosses in very senior positions have barely had 14 - 15 years service, still wet behind the ears and have served maybe 5 minutes on the street. Some of the decisions are appalling and yet nothing happens to them - the boys and the girls on the street get hammered instead. And the Police media comments - or lack of - are utterly appalling. If the general public knew the real story/ background to a lot of these controversal cases, they'd be far better informed. but no. Police hirachy just don't want to create waves. So the misinformed, the disaffected and the great unwashed keep on thinking the whole department is an untrustworthy mess and often make inane and snide comments on sites such as this. Well folks. TJF and has been for years.

25/10/2012 11:29:08 p.m.

Kathy wrote:

Or perhaps he just realises that people can see what a Balls up this is without his input H. None of the parties has said much of anything, the problem is self evident really.

25/10/2012 10:47:56 p.m.

Brett wrote:

Wasn't it a judge who signed off on the search warrant for DOTCOM's house and another judge who later said the search warrant was illegal yet the Police get blamed for it! The same thing for Nelson... the Police were given permission to fake an undercover officers criminal history by a judge and another judge later on says it's illegal and now we have 21 gang members who were charged with some serious offences walk free... the community loose BIG time on this one! If the courts are going to keep revoking sanctioned actions on the Police is it little wonder their gonna keep being in the spot light and be looked as the bad people!

25/10/2012 9:31:29 p.m.

H wrote:

DAVID SHEARER should have been firing on all cylinders on this and the winz debacle, but he is disappointingly silent. Maybe he isnt the man for the job after all.

25/10/2012 7:13:53 p.m.

Kathy wrote:

We need the same system that they have in America, and Internal Affairs division of the police force who's only job is to investigate the police, randomly drugs test them a department that ensures that the police arent corrupt. Something this country has sorely needed for some time.

25/10/2012 7:12:04 p.m.

John C wrote:

The police have apparently engaged in forgery, issued false charge sheets, and committed perjury in court. All apparently with the approval of the highest levels of the police. Heads must role over this.