Police reward offers raise ethical doubts

Police have offered hundreds of thousands of dollars in rewards to try to solve crimes during the past five years.

According to figures released under the Official Information Act, police offered 10 rewards totalling $320,000 from 2000 to 2005.

Police would not reveal how much was paid out, but it is understood to be a fraction of that offered.

Critics say rewards for information raise serious ethical problems and open the door to fabricated evidence.

James Rapley, chairman of the Canterbury branch of the Criminal Bar Association, told the Press newspaper that rewards raised questions about a witness's intentions.

People could get paid for essentially doing the right thing.

"You always have to ask why does someone have to be paid $50,000 because they saw John stabbing Ben?" Mr Rapley said.

Detective Senior Sergeant Scott McGill said rewards were offered only after strict criteria had been met.

Only two rewards were offered in the past two years and rewards had to be approved by the Police Commissioner.

Police could not offer immunity from prosecution; only the Solicitor-General could do that, Mr McGill said.

Police Association president Greg O'Connor said a reward was "a very important tool because it gives us leads and directions in major inquiries".

He said juries had to decide if someone was telling the truth.

Christchurch lawyer David Ruth said it was important that rewards had the proper safeguards.

"When serious crime remains unresolved for some time, then it's a matter of last resort. You can bet your bottom dollar that in a country the size of New Zealand someone will know something about the crime."

Criminologist Greg Newbold said rewards opened the possibility of false information being offered for money.

- NZPA