Ten months for cop's apology

Driver Ganesh Paramanathan, left, and policewoman Jeanette McNee, right. Photo / supplied

It took more than 10 months for a taxi driver to receive an apology from a police officer who subjected him to a tirade of racial abuse, the driver says.

Jeanette May McNee, 44, escaped a conviction at the Queenstown District Court yesterday, after earlier being found guilty of using offensive language against Malaysian-born Ganesh Paramanathan.

The incident, which was sparked by an argument over the taxi fare, happened in November last year.

Mr Paramanathan told RadioLive today he received a letter from McNee's lawyer, which was signed by her, last week.

"It said she apologises for what has happened and ... she had no recollection of what happened that night due to the mixture of alcohol and tramadol that she had consumed."

It took "easily 10 months plus" to receive the letter, he said.

He hoped the apology was genuine.

After the abuse it was hard for Mr Paramanathan to cope because he was still working the night shift.

It was especially difficult when he picked up groups of intoxicated people, "which made me think I could end up in a situation like what happened with [McNee]", Mr Paramanathan said.

McNee was on leave from the force without pay while an employment inquiry was underway.

Southern District Commander Superintendent Andrew Coster told RadioLive the employment process would now be followed and worked through until an "appropriate conclusion".

"The behaviour that was described in evidence in the court case certainly did not align with our values or with our code of conduct.

"It's certainly appropriate from our perspective that we hold to account those who don't meet the standards of behaviour that are expected of them by the community."

Yesterday, Mr Paramanathan's boss, Kiwi Taxis managing director Grant Scannell said he was disappointed McNee was discharged without conviction.

"From our point of view it's making sure that people don't think they can come to town and assault my taxi drivers and get away with it."

During sentencing, McNee was ordered to pay emotional reparation of $300 to the victim, a further $155 for loss of wages while the victim gave evidence in an earlier court hearing, and $388.13 to Queenstown Taxis for the costs of extracting video evidence.

She was found to have told Mr Paramanathan to "F*** to India. You come here and get all the Kiwi jobs; eat your f****** curry and f*** off to India. This is a Kiwi job."