Police charged with drink driving

Photo / Richard Robinson

Five police officers have been charged with drink-driving in the past 12 months - including a senior constable working in an Auckland serious crash unit.

Senior Constable Craig Fraser appeared in the North Shore District Court last week charged with drink driving and was remanded on bail until next month.

It is understood the charge is in relation to an incident in a fast-food restaurant carpark in March where an off-duty Mr Fraser allegedly reversed into a stationary car and drove off, later being breath-tested by colleagues.

Police refused to comment but the Herald understands he has been stood down from duty while the case is before the courts.

He told a newspaper at the weekend that he no longer wanted to be a police officer and that he had been stressed as a result of a leaky home.

The charge against Mr Fraser is one of five cases in which officers have been charged with drink-driving in the past year, according to information released under the Official Information Act.

In the worst case, one officer blew 733mcg - almost twice the legal breath alcohol limit - when pulled over by colleagues.

Other officers returned readings of 605mcg, 512mcg. Two other officers underwent a blood alcohol test and returned readings of 232mg and 92mg per 100ml of blood.

All five officers were off duty at the time and are currently, or have been, before the courts.

In February, a row broke out between police and Air NZ following claims of drink-driving staff and a boozy culture. A pilot, a flight attendant and mechanics were among those caught.

Internal police documents released to TV3 showed there were at least six incidents of drink-driving involving a total of four Air NZ staff between 2007 and last year.

Superintendent John Kelly said police needed to "try and address what may be a culture which accepts alcohol consumption, prior to working, as acceptable".

Meanwhile, three Henderson police officers have been stood down while the Independent Police Conduct Authority investigates alleged assaults on prisoners - one that led to the loss of a testicle.

The trio comprises a senior-ranking officer and two constables - from different West Auckland units.

It is understood colleagues of the senior officer went to Waitakere management concerned about his alleged actions. Another two constables were subsequently stood down. At least one of the alleged assaults is believed to have occurred in a cell block.

A spokesperson for the authority refused to comment while the investigation was under way.

The alleged assaults follow 13 investigations into alleged serious misconduct by Auckland officers last year.

Documents released to the Herald revealed three cases involving Waitemata officers were upheld, five are still under way, four officers resigned part way through, three were issued with final warnings and one case was thrown out.

Cops having one for the road

Drink-driving cases

Throughout NZ last year:

* Five allegedly caught over the limit off-duty last year.

* One case concluded and in employment investigation process.

* Four still before courts.

Misconduct cases:

* In Auckland last year:

* 13 officers investigated.

* Three cases involving Waitemata police officers upheld.

* Five matters ongoing.

* Four officers resigned during investigations.

* Three officers issued final warnings.

* One case thrown out.