Policewoman seeks $20,000 for improper medical examination

A policewoman is seeking $20,000 compensation from her bosses following a police medical examination she had as a rookie officer, claiming it was improper and invasive.

The Press newspaper reported today that on entering the force 15 years ago, the officer, who has name suppression, was sent to a police doctor for a medical, which included an internal and breast examination.

When talking to fellow officers, she found her physical examination had been far more intrusive.

In 1993, she complained to the police about the unnecessary internal examination. She said she was assured that other recruits would not be sent to the same doctor, the newspaper reported.

The officer was horrified to learn a decade later, when the doctor's conduct was under criminal investigation as a result of her complaint, that police had continued sending recruits to him.

Outraged by the police's handling of her complaint, she lodged a personal grievance, seeking compensation for hurt and humiliation with t he Employment Relations Authority.

At a hearing this week the woman told the authority "I feel like I've been lied to. I have worked for this department for 15 years and given them good service and to be treated like this ... I can't put it into words."

The authority suppressed all details that could identify the woman. An order also stops The Press naming the doctor and where he worked.

He was criminally investigated after the policewoman laid an official complaint in 2003, but police found no grounds to charge him.

The woman is seeking reimbursement of her sick leave, plus compensation and costs.

Authority member James Crichton reserved his decision.

- NZPA