Commissioner Richard Chambers:

Police acknowledge and fully accept the findings and recommendations of the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) report into Police’s use of the Complex Investigation Phased Engagement Model (CIPEM) interviewing method.

The CIPEM interviewing programme was implemented in 2018 with the knowledge and support of the Police Executive, and the staff involved acted in good faith striving to improve an acknowledged gap in our interviewing capacity.

While there are lessons to be learned for Police, the staff involved displayed passion and dedication in working to try to advance difficult and complex cases. Police acknowledge that more support should have been afforded to the officers involved at the time and apologise to the staff involved for not providing that support, particularly during a prolonged period of media reporting.

The murder case interview referenced in the IPCA media statement was subject to an independent review, which found that those involved in that interview were not involved in the wider investigation management, including making key decisions relevant to progressing the investigation or prosecution. They were brought in to conduct an interview phase only. In these circumstances, it would be both wrong and unfair for conclusions to be drawn that these staff were to blame for the charges being withdrawn.

Consequently, the internal review also focussed on the way the Police lead, review and manage serious crime investigations and an examination of those areas specific to that case. Police are unable to release a full copy of that review as it contains sensitive information that would prejudice further investigation and potential prosecution outcomes. A summary of the review (previously released under the Official Information Act 1982) is provided with this release.

Police also commissioned a broad review of interviewing practices across all of Police, which was completed in November 2024. The recommendations of that review and the recommendations of the IPCA review are accepted and are being implemented as a programme of work. A full copy of this review is provided with this release.

Police is also establishing a new position, the Manager Investigative Interviewing, to lead this programme of work, as was recommended by the IPCA. Police expect to recruit for this position in coming weeks.

Engaging with and interviewing victims, witnesses and suspects is a core policing skill and pivotal to advancing all investigations and other aspects of policing.

The Police Executive is committed to ensuring that NZ Police’s interviewing training programme is world leading.

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