Investigations are under way into management practices in the Wellington police district.
District commander Superintendent John Kelly - whose area includes Wairarapa, Wellington City, Kapiti-Mana and the Hutt Valley - took leave yesterday and a temporary commander will be brought in to oversee the district.
Commissioner Rob Robinson confirmed yesterday that internal inquiries had started. Aspects of the investigation include alleged timesheet irregularities and the employment of Mr Kelly's wife, former police officer Mary Ann Kelly, in the district.
He said matters were management and "performance and process issues" rather than disciplinary affairs - "things we could do a darn sight better".
Mr Robinson said Mr Kelly's wife, a former sworn inquests officer, had been appointed as a civilian inquests officer at Porirua.
"There are one or two issues I want to be informed of in regards to Mary Ann's employment," Mr Robinson said.
"My understanding is that she is employed in a temporary capability ... We are just looking at some issues around that."
Also under way is an inquiry into the management of timesheets in the district. A Lower Hutt inspector was temporarily stood down while investigations were carried out but is now back at work.
The internal inquiry was sparked by allegations of irregularities in timesheet coding in Lower Hutt. Each police task has a code and all officers' time must be accounted for on an activity management system.
But Mr Robinson confirmed that, during the inquiry, further allegations of irregularities involving Mr Kelly were raised. They involved the logging of leave provisions on the timesheets.
With Mr Kelly on leave for "several weeks", Superintendent Gary Smith will be brought in to run the district. The former Wanganui area controller was appointed to the Police Commissioner's Office in Wellington last year.
Mr Robinson expects a report on the timesheet inquiry soon. It is being done by Assistant Commissioner Gavin McFadyen, who will also look at issues around the activity management system.
Police sources have often complained about the tedious nature of the system.
The inquiry into Mrs Kelly's employment is being carried out by Assistant Commissioner Jon White.
Mr Kelly could not be contacted for comment.
- NZPA
Internal inquiry over police management practices
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