Police write letters of apology to falsely accused teens

Senior Sergeant Ian Kerrisk. Photo / ODT

Two Central Otago teenagers have received letters of apology from police for a series of incidents of unprofessional conduct and alleged harassment by Central Otago police earlier this year.

The letters, written by Central Otago sub area supervisor Senior Sergeant Ian Kerrisk, relate to the teenagers being falsely accused of committing petty crime and the subsequent police action.

The alleged harassment included the teenagers and one of their homes being searched by police without informed consent, an officer allegedly manhandling and threatening one of the teenagers, and police repeatedly parking outside one of the teenager's homes.

The letter names two officers involved in two of the most serious incidents and apologises to the teenagers on their behalf.

Both of those officers have recently left the police. Police declined to comment on why the two officers left the force.

The letter does not name another officer who initially accused the teenagers.

The family of one of the teenagers says that accusation was made without any evidence.

That officer is still serving as a police officer in Central Otago.

A parent of one of the teenagers said the teenagers and their supporters were grateful to Mr Kerrisk for resolving the issue once it came to his attention.

In the letter, Mr Kerrisk said the families had not received the ''level of service or treatment from police staff that you deserve''.

''You outlined in your concerns that you had been blamed for [incidents of petty crime] and had been targeted [by police] since then.

''I have spoken to the officers, and [name of police officer] has acknowledged the incident of an altercation [with one of the teenagers].

''He expressed regret that they [that and other incidents] had occurred but explained it was an 'old-fashioned policing style' that he had.''

Two other teenagers have since been found to be responsible for the petty crime.

Southern district police would not provide any further comment, other than to say police had worked to resolve the original concerns raised by the teenagers and their families, who could make a formal complaint either directly to police or via the Independent Conduct Authority if they had continuing concerns.