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Police have defended the way they handled the hunt for murder-accused Graeme Burton, saying they worked within agreed policies.
Burton, 35, was released on parole last year but police approached the Corrections Department in November to have him recalled to prison.
Earlier this week, Corrections chief executive Barry Matthews said the department could not act on that request because police failed to charge Burton or supply an affidavit.
On December 22, a warrant was issued for Burton's arrest after he missed a series of meetings with his probation officer.
In a statement today, Police Commissioner Howard Broad said he had met Mr Matthews to discuss the case and was satisfied there had been "good collaboration" between the two departments.
"Everyone was working within agreed policies. The Police raised a concern based on what they suspected about Burton's activities. For operational reasons Wellington staff chose not to provide this information in affidavit form.
"Police continued to investigate Mr Burton's activities at the same time as the Probation Service continued to monitor his parole conditions and that then resulted in warrants to arrest being issued later in December."
Mr Broad said the Probation Service was acting within the law by asking for a written affidavit.
"Equally, Police made a judgement in declining to provide information that had they done so could have been subject to wider disclosure.
"I am satisfied that on the information available to me at this point that Police's judgement in the matter was appropriate."
Mr Broad added that Police and Corrections would take "maximum learnings" from the case.
During his time on the run, Burton allegedly attacked a man in his Tory St apartment before a final rampage in which four mountain-bikers were wounded and Karl Kuchenbecker killed.
He was captured on January 6 after being shot by police in his right leg, which later had to be amputated.
Burton is due to appear in Wellington District Court on Friday facing 23 charges, including murder, attempted murder, aggravated robbery and using a firearm against a police officer
- NZPA / NZ HERALD STAFF
