Police culture: What their colleagues think

WOMAN CONSTABLE: " There are instances where guys crowd around and watch a drunk and drugged woman, possibly even mentally disturbed, strip off her clothes, or head to the morgue to see the body of a good-looking woman.

"It's all seen as a bit of a joke."

AUCKLAND, SENIOR SERGEANT: "What's very disappointing is that the Commissioner front-footed this issue in the way he did when he's been so reticent in doing that on the resourcing [of police] issue.

"We will lose good officers from the job because of this. Not because they were involved but because they are disillusioned, they've had enough. They'll think there's no better time to get a job on the 'outside' as we call it."

WAIKATO, RETIRED POLICEMAN: "It's political correctness out of control. Fair enough if there's [bestiality] and all that sort of carry on, but a hardcase joke? Where's their sense of humour gone?"

AUCKLAND, FORMER OFFICER AND TEAM LEADER: "I certainly didn't see it as widespread. Certainly all my guys knew it wasn't to happen in my office because if they got caught the supervisor had to pass it on."

WAYNE ANNAN, GENERAL MANAGER POLICE HUMAN RESOURCES: "It's fair to say that we use the best selection tools and the best training capability that is available. Sometimes something gets missed. Sometimes people's behaviour, over time, develops."

SUPERINTENDENT ALISTAIR (OLLY) BECKETT, POLICE COLLEGE TRAINING COMMANDER: "[Police] are expected to maintain higher standards than the community. That's the expectation of them. Because they're role models and people will be looking up to them."

POLICE CLERICAL WORKER, 27 YEARS IN THE JOB: "The macho culture, once prevalent is very much in the past. There's only isolated pockets of sexist and bullying behaviour, which colleagues are quick to challenge.

"They are now willing to air the dirty linen and clean out unacceptable behaviour."

SOUTH AUCKLAND POLICEMAN: "There will no doubt be some bloody good cops who have been roped into [the inquiry].

"There is no excuse [but] your email may show you opened that document only once. Maybe you don't delete emails. But the fact you still have that one offensive pornographic image, they will get you on it."