They're so dumb, says union head

Michael Cullen has moved to prevent delays in the commission of inquiry. Picture / Martin Sykes

The Police Association has slammed police staff caught with sexually explicit emails as "dumb", saying they were warned about the dangers of such messages.

President Greg O'Connor said the association's newsletter warned members that storing and sending this kind of material could have serious employment repercussions.

But despite these warnings, Commissioner Rob Robinson yesterday revealed 327 police staff, including a superintendent and three inspectors, had been found with sexually explicit emails - some so disturbing that criminal charges may be laid.

"It's just dumb," Mr O'Connor said. "I don't think it was that sinister - there was no kiddy porn, no trading. But it's inappropriate and it's dumb."

Mr O'Connor said there were higher expectations and standards on police and the email scandal was disappointing, especially in the current environment.

"It's going to provide more ammunition for our detractors - there will be comments like 'you guys are too busy watching porn to come to the job'."

But Mr O'Connor said there was a possibility that some of the emails could have been for legitimate work purposes and thorough examinations were needed to determine this.

Meanwhile, it was announced yesterday that the scope of the commission of inquiry into police conduct, sparked by the historical allegations of Rotorua woman Louise Nicholas, has been altered so it can continue without prejudicing criminal proceeding.

There had been a risk the commission of inquiry would be stalled for up to two years following criminal charges being laid in the wake of Mrs Nicholas' allegations.

Attorney-General Michael Cullen said the commission of inquiry would now also take into account a separate examination of police culture, sparked by the email scandal, which would be led by Mr Robinson.

He said there was a potential link between police culture and the commission of inquiry's scope of how police responded to sexual assault allegations and whether the people making them were treated appropriately.

Dame Margaret Bazley will be the sole commissioner, replacing Justice James Robertson, who asked to be discharged because of time pressures.

The commission stalled when Mrs Nicholas' allegations resulted in charges, which are suppressed, being laid against Assistant Commissioner Clint Rickards and former policemen Robert Schollum and Bradley Shipton.

Dr Cullen yesterday said the commission of inquiry would not prejudice the trial of the men.

He said the scope of the commission had been recast so it was about systemic issues in the way police dealt with complaints of sexual assault by the police themselves and the nature of inquiries undertaken into those complaints.

Dr Cullen said a number of women had contacted the commission with complaints that were not the subject of criminal investigation.

"It is important that we expedite proceedings to keep faith with those women and to maintain public confidence in the justice system."

The commission of inquiry will run parallel with Mr Robinson's investigations into police culture.

Mr Robinson must report to Dame Margaret by next February 3.

The commission of inquiry will report to the Governor-General by March 3 next year.