As a result, he faces charges of using a computer system for dishonest purposes, and a representative charge of wilfully attempting to pervert the course of justice between July 1 and July 16, 2025.<\/p>\n
A representative charge means he allegedly repeated the act more than once. <\/p>\n
Gray also faces charges that on August 28, 2025, he had in his possession a cannabis plant, two glass pipes used for smoking methamphetamine, and a pipe for consuming cannabis.<\/p>\n
The perverting the course of justice charge carries a maximum penalty of seven years\u2019 imprisonment.<\/p>\n
Police confirmed an officer was before the courts facing serious charges, listing the allegations Gray faced.<\/p>\n
He is suspended from duty while the court process is ongoing, Central District Commander Superintendent Dion Bennett told NZME. <\/p>\n
Bennett said the matter had been referred to the Independent Police Conduct Authority.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs this matter is still before the courts, Police are unable to comment further.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, in a follow-up inquiry, Bennett confirmed the officer was suspended on full pay. <\/p>\n
In July, changes were made to an internal New Zealand Police policy<\/a>, allowing staff to be suspended without pay in a greater range of circumstances, such as when serious breaches of the Code of Conduct are alleged, or criminal charges are laid.<\/p>\n The policy change followed the Jevon McSkimming scandal, in which the then Deputy Police Commissioner was suspended on full pay<\/a> for more than four months while under criminal investigation by the police and the Independent Police Conduct Authority over allegations in a separate matter.<\/p>\n The charges against Gray were filed in the Whanganui District Court late last year by a Hastings police detective. <\/p>\n Gray is next due to appear in court for a callover hearing on October 21.<\/p>\n Tara Shaskey is an assistant editor and reporter for the Open Justice team. She joined NZME in 2022 and has worked as a journalist since 2014.<\/p>\n