Greens want police-free DNA inquiry

Allegations that police have coerced people into giving DNA samples shows the need for a completely independent Police Complaints Authority, the Green Party says.

Auckland police are investigating the claim by 22-year-old Papatoetoe man Kane Dowling that he and a friend were stopped by police on an Auckland street about 18 months ago and threatened with a charge of drunk and disorderly conduct unless they gave DNA samples.

The claim follows police destroying a DNA sample given by Remuera teenager Richard Barnes after the youth's mother complained that her son was threatened with a $400 fine for a minor traffic infringement unless he gave the sample.

Police Minister Annette King has said that the officer who took the swab could face disciplinary action.

In the latest claim, Mr Dowling said he had been doing nothing wrong, but had agreed to the sample because he did not want to be prosecuted.

Speaking to National Radio yesterday morning, he described how he and his friend were walking along a street in downtown Auckland early one morning after a night out clubbing, when they were stopped by police.

The officers told them they would be charged with being drunk and disorderly if they did not submit to a DNA test. Mr Dowling said there was nothing in their behaviour that would have warranted police attention.

They argued initially, but after being held for half an hour in separate cells, they were taken to a medical centre for blood to be taken.

"We didn't want to get arrested for nothing anyway ...

"I thought they must have been allowed to do that."

Police had told them the samples would be "on file for future reference".

They told the pair not to worry about it, unless they were going to "rape or murder anyone".

Auckland Inspector John Moss said Mr Dowling had "a number of convictions going back several years" for dishonesty and driving offences, and was facing more charges.

But it would be "entirely inappropriate" for an officer to procure a DNA sample as a result of some kind of deal and he was looking into the complaint.

Mr Moss said that if the sample had been taken inappropriately, police would destroy it.

Green MP Nandor Tanczos yesterday said the claims showed the need for the complaints authority to have its own investigators rather than relying on police.

"The latest allegations leave an impression of a police force that sees itself as above the law when it comes to young people.

"Whether that's perception or reality, a truly independent Police Complaints Authority is the only way to deal with the problem."

The Green Party wants a review of all voluntary DNA samples held by the police that have been taken from under-20-year-olds.

- NZPA