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A senior policeman acquitted of raping a 13-year-old girl could still face dismissal from the force as his conduct is scrutinised in an internal review.
The South Island officer, whose name is suppressed, was found not guilty this week of raping the girl after a trial by jury in the High Court at Christchurch.
Two other rape charges against him were dropped during the trial, in which the Crown alleged the girl sometimes slept in the officer's bed and that he sent dozens of text messages to her on certain days.
In a hearing after the verdict, trial judge Justice Graham Panckhurst said the nature of evidence gave him pause before granting the officer name suppression.
"I shall not go into the detail of that evidence. It is sufficient to say that some of the conduct in which the accused had been involved did impress me as being a matter of legitimate public interest, particularly for someone who is a serving police officer."
Inspector Neil Banks confirmed that an internal investigation into the officer had been launched after accusations were made against him.
The officer has been suspended on full pay, but the police officers' union wants to see him returned to work.
Mr Banks said police shared the concerns expressed by Justice Panckhurst.
But it was still to be established what accusations could be proven and what action could be taken in an employment investigation.
If "disgraceful" conduct was proven, the policeman could face a censure or dismissal from the police.
