330 police staff investigated over objectionable emails

Police Commissioner Rob Robinson announced the investigation this afternoon. Picture / Brett Phibbs

Police Commissioner Rob Robinson announced this afternoon that 330 staff are under investigation over objectionable material on the force's email system.

Mr Robinson said the investigation did not involve child porn, but some of the material was such that if police were legitimately exposed to it in the course of their jobs they would receive a psychological debrief after seeing it.

The staff have been caught misusing the police email system by sending, receiving, and storing inappropriate and potentially offensive images.

A superintendent and three inspectors are among those involved. A mixture of police officers and other staff are under investigation and all those under scrutiny will receive a letter and then an interview with superiors.

If it is found that there was no legitimate reason for them to see the material, they will face formal disciplinary procedures, possible sacking, and could face criminal prosecution.

The commission of inquiry looking into police conduct will have its remit extended to cover the issue.

The material was uncovered during an audit of the police's email system, Mr Robinson told a press conference in Wellington.

Mr Robinson said: "Staff who have retained or passed on inappropriate, potentially objectionable or offensive material can expect to be dealt with seriously but fairly.

"The public expect the highest possible standards of police and we have commenced a process to seek explanations from staff relating to their possession of these images.

"It is possible that some staff may face criminal action while most will be subject to internal processes. The consequences could include compulsory education, counselling, adverse reports, reprimand and possible dismissal."

Mr Robinson said the bulk of images found during the audit could be categorised as "inappropriate", or "likely to be offensive" rather than "objectionable" in the legal sense.

"Some of the particularly graphic images will be referred to the Office of the Film Censor as part of the process of assessing whether criminal charges should be considered," he said. 

"I am extremely disappointed that several hundred of our 10,000 staff have shown such poor judgement in retaining or forwarding on such images."

- NEWSTALK ZB, HERALD ONLINE STAFF