Police officer Zane Roberts breached code of conduct after fishing illegally and giving false details

Zane Roberts outside the Rotorua courthouse in July. Photo / NZME

A Rotorua police officer breached the police code of conduct when he fished without a licence and gave false details to a Fish & Game officer, a police investigation has found.

Constable Zane Roberts was sentenced in the Rotorua District Court in July on the charges and ordered to pay $2400 - $500 for fishing without a licence, $900 for giving false particulars, and $1000 towards Fish & Game legal fees.

At the time of the sentencing, the police confirmed there would be an internal investigation. The Independent Police Conduct Authority oversaw the investigation and has now published a summary of it on its website.

"Police conducted an internal investigation and found the officer's actions were in breach of their Code of Conduct resulting in the officer receiving an employment sanction.

"The Authority agrees with the police findings and outcome."

The police would not reveal the specifics of the employment sanction citing privacy.

The charges related to the actions of the then 26-year-old on the opening day of the 2020 trout fishing season on Lake Rotoiti. Roberts went fishing with a friend and had planned, but failed to obtain, a day licence.

When approached by a Fish & Game officer that afternoon, Roberts' friend produced a valid family licence, which Roberts said he was included on, claiming to be a half-brother. Roberts claimed the second name "Denise" on the licence was a typo and his name was actually Dennis.

He signed a written statement giving a false name, date of birth, address and phone number.

Twelve days later, after further inquiries, Fish & Game contacted Roberts' employer, the police, asking to speak to him. Roberts went to the local Fish & Game office the same day and when he was told what the matter was about, he exercised his right to silence and did not make a statement.

During the sentencing, Fish & Game lawyer Sefton Revell said there was a "real risk" Roberts could lose his job as a police officer due to a "massive lapse of judgment".

Judge Greg Hollister-Jones acknowledged the offending would be viewed seriously by New Zealand Police and "may well contribute to the loss of his job", but those were the ordinary consequences of a conviction.

Roberts' lawyer unsuccessfully argued for permanent name suppression and a discharge without conviction.

When approached for comment on the recent findings, a police spokeswoman said the organisation had nothing to add to the statement it made when Roberts was sentenced.

At that time police confirmed Roberts remained working for New Zealand Police, the organisation was aware of the court matter and would undertake an internal investigation.

It did not go into further detail for privacy reasons.