Officer investigated over festival beer funnel

A Gisborne police officer who was photographed drinking beer from a funnel while on duty at a music festival is under investigation, police confirmed today.

The constable was on duty and in uniform when he was offered the beer by a group of revellers at the Rhythm and Vines festival in Gisborne in late January.

Eastern District commander Superintendent Sam Hoyle said while the officer was not in a frontline response role, his actions appeared to be totally unacceptable and were not condoned by police.

"This sort of behaviour falls well short of what we expect from our staff. It's extremely disappointing to say the least," Mr Hoyle said.

The officer, his direct supervisor and colleagues would be interviewed as part of the internal investigation, and all aspects of the incident would be looked into.

He would not be stood down during the investigation, Mr Hoyle said.

The mother of the girl who took the photograph told the Sunday News the officer had one drink.

- NZPA