Operation Grad: Police Acknowledge Sentencing
Police acknowledges today’s sentencing in the Auckland
District Court of a
woman in relation to threats directed
at the University of Otago graduation
ceremonies in
December 2020.
The woman was sentenced to five months
community detention on a
representative charge of threats
of harm to people or property.
She has continued name
suppression which will lapse as of 4pm 20 May 2022.
As a
result of these online threats, University of Otago
graduation
ceremonies and related events were cancelled,
affecting thousands of
people.
"These threats had a
profound impact on both those directly involved and
the
wider Dunedin community," Southern District Commander
Superintendent Paul
Basham says.
"Graduands,
whānau, University of Otago faculty members, and
Dunedin
businesses suffered both emotional and economic
loss as a result.
"The message today's sentencing
outcome gives is clear - if you threaten to
do harm to
members of your community, or places they may be, Police
will
investigate, we will identify who you are, and we
will hold you to account."
The Police investigation,
which involved staff from around the country,
proved
technically challenging.
"I want to recognise the
outstanding work by Police staff which has led to
today's
outcome,” Superintendent Basham says.
"Not only did
we have officers working to identify who was responsible,
many
other Police staff were on the streets of Dunedin
keeping both visitors here
for graduation, and our local
community safe.
“I also want to once again, and most
importantly acknowledge the graduands
and their families
who missed out on attending an event which for
many
represented years of sacrifice and
dedication.”