Police officer facing sex violation inquiry

An inquiry has been launched into allegations a woman was sexually violated by an off-duty police officer at a party in Mount Maunganui - the latest of several cases to rock the force.

Western Bay of Plenty police area commander, Inspector Murray Lewis, confirmed an investigation was being led by Rotorua-based detective inspector Garth Bryan into a complaint of sexual violation against a Tauranga officer.

Mr Lewis was unable to confirm the rank of the officer, or when he was stood down. He refused to comment further on the inquiry.

A spokesman for the office of the police commissioner in Wellington, Jon Neilson, said the accused officer was on full pay while under investigation. He did not know how long the inquiry would take.

The incident is the latest in a string of allegations made against Bay police officers. Tauranga constable Fredrick Follas is awaiting trial after allegedly sexually violating a massage parlour worker in the women's showers at Tauranga police station a year ago.

Mr Follas has pleaded not guilty and is due to stand trial in the High Court at Rotorua next month.

An internal inquiry into alleged misconduct by Sergeant Keith Elliott is continuing after he was stood down last October from his position as a police prosecutor in the Tauranga District Court.

Mr Elliott's son, Greerton constable Matthew Elliott, has resumed work after a drink driving charge was thrown out of court for a second time. He was allegedly stopped by police at a check-point in June 2003 and found to be almost twice the legal alcohol limit.

The charge was initially thrown out of court because the arresting policewoman failed to give a vital brief of evidence to the defence, then again last month because a defence lawyer letter sent to the Police Commissioner's office requesting a second blood sample went missing.

Meanwhile, former policeman and Tauranga City Councillor Brad Shipton faces a charge of illegally possessing a Colt .45 calibre pistol allegedly found in his home last July. The 46-year-old has pleaded not guilty and will defend the charge at a hearing in the district court on February 15.

- NZPA