Sergeant says joke typical of police

Photographing a young suspect wearing a sign saying "I belong to Senior Sergeant Solomona" was a typical police station joke across New Zealand, the Papakura District Court heard yesterday.

Sergeant John Nelson told the court he had seen similar stunts in numerous police stations, but said not everyone would get the joke.

"The humour would not be understood by non-police officers."

Mr Nelson was giving evidence at the defended hearing of Senior Sergeant Anthony Solomona.

The South Auckland officer faces four charges of assault and one of assault with a weapon after allegedly beating and threatening three complainants, in separate incidents, in February and March last year.

A fifth assault charge - laid after Solomona allegedly left teenager Angelo Turner handcuffed to a fence while he attended an armed offenders squad callout - was withdrawn after Judge Bruce Davidson ruled there was no case to answer.

Under cross-examination by Solomona's lawyer, John Haigh, QC, Mr Nelson said it was not easy to explain why such jokes appealed to police officers, and was loath to do so when invited to try.

"I don't think I can explain the humour in two sentences.

"It is a matter of police culture. You get accustomed to it as your time in the police increases."

A stream of police officers gave evidence yesterday, as the prosecution case drew to a close.

The officer in charge of the investigation into Solomona, Detective Inspector Keith Brady, gave evidence of a search warrant executed at Solomona's Wiri police station.

Items recovered included photocopied notebook entries relating to the complainant Richard Southon. It contained his personal details, but no record of Solomona's dealings with him, the court was told.

Black leather gloves and a notebook were later handed over.

Mr Brady said Solomona refused a number of invitations to speak with police in relation to the investigation.

He had requested to see the police file of the investigation, but Mr Brady refused, the court heard.

Solomona later gave police a written statement in which he "categorically" denied any of the alleged assaults.

The defence case is expected to begin today. The hearing is likely to conclude late next week.