Censor rules images on police emails 'objectionable'

Around 5000 sexually explicit images were stored in the police computer system. File picture / Hawke's Bay Today

Some police officers may face criminal charges following a ruling by the chief censor that 10 of the sexually explicit images uncovered in a trawl of the police computer system earlier this year are "objectionable".

In April it was announced that 328 police officers -- including 50 senior staff -- were under investigation following the discovery of around 5000 sexually explicit images stored in the computer system.

A spokesman for the Officer of Film and Literature Classification, David Wilson, said in addition to the 10 objectionable images -- including some depicting sexual violence and bestiality -- a further three images had been classified R18.

Of the images certified objectionable under the Act, four involved the promotion of urine in a sexual context, one involved the use of excrement in a sexual act, two promoted bestiality, two promoted sexual violence and one was considered "sexually degrading".

The chief censor had passed the information to Police Headquarters, he said.

Anyone having objectionable images could potentially face criminal charges.

However, a police spokesman said National Headquarters would be making no comment on the potential fate of the officers involved until the staff themselves had been informed.

Media relations manager Jon Neilson said police had received the chief censor's decisions earlier this week and headquarters was now consulting with district authorities to determine what action to take on individual cases.

"Until that's been conveyed to staff involved, we are not in a position to comment further," he said.

It could be between a week and 10 days before all the officers involved had been informed of what action, if any, they were likely to face, he said.

The majority of officers identified in the initial trawl had opted for "the alternative resolution process" and voluntarily accepted disciplinary action, he said.

- NZPA