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\nSix of 20 staff have been stood down since they were identified in a rapid review of Police information security controls.
\nPhoto: RNZ \/ REECE BAKER\n<\/p>\n
Criminal investigations have begun into three police staff in relation to “misuse and inappropriate content”, RNZ can reveal.<\/p>\n
RNZ earlier revealed several police staff<\/a> were under investigation, including an officer who has been stood down after inappropriate material was found on a police-issued device.<\/p>\n It follows an audit of staff internet usage<\/a> sparked by the resignation of former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming<\/a> who recently pleaded guilty to possessing objectionable publications, including child sexual exploitation and bestiality over a four-year period.<\/p>\n Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Jill Rogers told RNZ on Thursday six out of 20 staff under investigation in relation to “misuse and inappropriate content” had been stood down.<\/p>\n “Those six are being investigated for serious matters, ranging from potentially accessing objectionable material, or accessing inappropriate material while also subject to separate misconduct matters.”<\/p>\n Some of the staff being investigated may have had legitimate purposes for accessing material, which police would verify through their inquiries.<\/p>\n “Criminal investigations are being conducted into three of the cases.”<\/p>\n Police were not able to disclose the ranks of those under investigation.<\/p>\n Do you know more? Email sam.sherwood@rnz.co.nz<\/p>\n Rogers earlier told RNZ a “small number of users of concern” were under investigation.<\/p>\n RNZ asked for clarification but did not receive a response from police.<\/p>\n On Wednesday, Rogers said police continued to progress investigations<\/a> into about 20 cases of misuse and inappropriate content as part of the ongoing audit of staff use of police devices.<\/p>\n “Employment processes are underway in some of these cases while others are still at the preliminary stages of investigation.<\/p>\n “We can assure the public appropriate action will be taken in every case and cannot rule out charges if the Solicitor General’s guidelines for prosecution are met.<\/p>\n “We are unable to comment further while these processes take their course.”<\/p>\n Rogers earlier confirmed to RNZ a police officer had been stood down from duty for “inappropriate content on a police device”.<\/p>\n “The officer is under employment investigation for serious misconduct, relating to inappropriate, but not objectionable, material on a police-issued device. The alleged misconduct was uncovered through following recent audits of staff internet usage.”<\/p>\n \nPolice Commissioner Richard Chambers. Police Commissioner Richard Chambers earlier told RNZ the misconduct being investigated was uncovered as a result of the new monitoring measures introduced following the Rapid Review of the settings for police devices, launched after McSkimming’s resignation<\/a>.<\/p>\n “I sought that review because of my concern that such conduct was not being detected. This offers some reassurance that we now have the necessary tools to detect potentially inappropriate behaviour.”<\/p>\n Police Minister Mark Mitchell earlier told RNZ he had not been briefed on the allegations, but expected police to “take action on any matters that involve inappropriate behaviour”.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nPhoto: RNZ \/ Samuel Rillstone\n<\/p>\n