Private eyes to get police ear

Private investigators such as Daniel Thompson-Toresen (left) and Ron McQuilter will get a better hearing from Auckland police thanks to the new regional orders. Photo / Martin Sykes

Police and private investigators will work together more closely to combat crime under rules passed this week - including obtaining search warrants for joint investigations.

Auckland police chiefs have signed off moves towards a private-public partnership, with new orders already in force.

Investigators are often hired by corporate firms to look into internal theft and fraud, frequently obtaining strong evidence of offending, and sometimes even confessions.

But private detectives - and the businesses who hire them - have become increasingly frustrated when no action is taken against suspects after complaints have been laid with police.

The new orders mean police must look into cases passed on by private investigators, even helping to obtain search warrants if needed.

Like any complaint from the public, the files will be numbered and prioritised by police for further inquiry.

Auckland regional commander Assistant Commissioner Steve Shortland said the new orders would provide "clarity" for police staff who had "differing responses" to files from private investigators.

Mr Shortland disagreed that the new orders indicated private investigators were now doing the work of police.

"It's not to do with that. These orders mean we now have a standard response to a way we receive files ... [This will] enable us to provide a better service."

Paragon NZ, which specialises in investigating white-collar crime, has lobbied for closer co-operation with police for some time.

Managing director Ron McQuilter worked closely with police to draft the new orders in Auckland and hoped the guidelines would be rolled out across New Zealand after a trial period.

He said private investigators were now a crucial member of the "policing family" and he hoped the regional orders would help to forge public-private partnerships like others around the world.

"It's been a long hard road, but this initiative by the police has to be a great thing for victims of dishonesty and hopefully, these types of offenders will fear they might be prosecuted now."

PLODDING ALONG

Police apologised to a fast-food giant after the company was told officers were too busy to investigate staff caught on camera stealing thousands of dollars last year.

Restaurant Brands - owners of KFC, Pizza Hut and Burger King - hired private investigators to prove which employees were stealing from a store in the Wellington region.

But when the company laid a complaint with the police, complete with evidence, a senior detective wrote back to say police were too busy.

After the company complained to the Police Minister and Police Commissioner, the alleged offenders were arrested and charged.