Dispatcher criticised on Asher 111 call

The Police Complaints Authority has found a dispatcher used undignified and unprofessional language when dealing with a call made by Iraena Asher, who disappeared in Piha and has never been found.

Authority head Judge Ian Borrin today released his report into the handling of Miss Asher's 111 call in October 2004.

Ms Asher was last seen in the early hours of October 11 at Piha, west of Auckland, after earlier phoning police for help which never arrived.

Her call to the police Northern Communications Centre led to the dispatch of a taxi to collect her. But the taxi went to the wrong part of Auckland and the resulting outcry sparked a review of the handling of emergency calls.

Judge Borrin said he agreed with a police finding that the call was mishandled by the dispatcher and sergeant but not the call taker.

He said: "As discussed (in the report) the remarks made about the event and the language used by the dispatcher were undignified and unprofessional."

The incident showed that police needed to be careful to treat calls seriously even when the caller did not sound distressed, Judge Borrin added.

He did not add to extensive recommendations already made but endorsed police commitments to improve communications centres and responses.

- NZPA