Police yet to decide fate of 40 staff in porn inquiry

Up to 40 police officers are still waiting to hear whether they will face disciplinary action or criminal charges after being found with potentially objectionable emails.

Police launched an inquiry in April after an audit uncovered more than 5000 pornographic images and video clips on the national police computer system.

Inappropriate images were found on the computers of 327 staff -- including a superintendent and three inspectors.

Police spokesman Jon Neilson said today the classification of more serious images found on between 30 and 40 staff were still to be determined.

About 15 images had been sent to chief censor Bill Hastings to rule whether they were objectionable -- such as depicting child pornography, sexual violence, bestiality, necrophilia or extreme violence -- or inappropriate.

"How the censor classifies those images will have a bearing on any decision," he said.

Once the images had been classified, police would determine what cause of action would need to be taken.

"Like any investigation, any case would have to be put together."

The majority -- about 280 -- of the 327 staff had accepted "alternative resolution", which involved accepting they had inappropriate material and attending a one-day workshop.

"The workshop is planned to be rolled out from August and is being trialled next month."

Of 5000 images, about 2000 were emailed to police from external sources, including 783 from private businesses, 81 from the public sector including Parliament, 20 from academic institutions and 17 from media.

Although members of the public had been investigated, the inquiry was now focusing on police, Mr Neilson aid.

"We're really just trying to tie off the internal aspectss," he said. "But if any outside organisation is concerned they can make inquiries with police."

- NZPA