Response to IPCA report on hunting incident in Central Otago

Police accepts the IPCA’s findings that a number of shortcomings and delays with a police investigation gave the appearance that two off-duty Police officers had received favourable treatment in relation to a hunting incident in Central Otago in January 2016.

The Authority finds however that the decision to not prosecute the two officers was reasonable and justified on public interest grounds.

Southern District Commander Superintendent Paul Basham acknowledges the depth of feeling across the Central Otago community regarding illegal hunting which, to some extent, results from the inconsistency in how police have responded to such incidents in the past.

“The Southern District has already undertaken a review of the response to illegal hunting incidents with the District Command Centre taking initial supervision of the incident attendance,” he says.

“A District working group has been established to provide guidance to staff.”

Canterbury District Commander John Price says the off duty Canterbury officers have undergone an employment process which has been completed.

For privacy reasons we cannot go into these details.

ENDS

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