Police porn inquiry takes toll on morale

A police pornography investigation which netted hundreds of officers and left others facing criminal charges has dented morale more than other scandals of the past two years.

And it appears to have damaged relations between officers on the beat and the office of Police Commissioner Rob Robinson.

Police spoken to by the Herald also cite a lack of resources and an inquiry into police "culture" as damaging.

That is despite claims by Police Minister George Hawkins that police have been buoyed by a drop in crime under Labour.

"The simple fact is that New Zealand is now a safer place to live in than it was in the 1990s ... and that is due to this Government giving Police the resources it needs to do the job," he said after a police graduation ceremony last week.

But he did acknowledge to the Herald that officers had been affected by the run of controversies.

"Morale took a bit of a hit, but it's come back up again."

That contrasts with the words of one police officer, who told the Herald "we're slowly drowning" due to a lack of resources.

"We cannot get bums on seats."

Another officer said police had been immensely relieved at the review of the 111 system and communications centres, which echoed front-line police claims of a serious problem which risked their's and the public's safety.

Controversies affecting morale in the past two years include:

* Historic rape allegations against a number of officers.

* The 111 fiasco which left Aucklander Iraena Asher missing, believed dead.

* The laying of driving charges against South Island officers trying to get Prime Minister Helen Clark to a game of rugby.

The pornographic email investigation has, however, been heavily criticised within the police after Mr Robinson held a press conference announcing the preliminary findings from an audit of police computers affecting 327 staff.

While 5000 images said to be sexually explicit were reviewed, the Censor's Office has so far classified 10 as objectionable.

A decision on whether any officers will face charges is expected within a fortnight.

Police Association president Greg O'Connor said the decision to pursue the inquiry under the public gaze had eroded goodwill and that "eroded the effectiveness of the department".