In September 2017 an allegation of theft was made against a police officer and her partner who ran a farm in the Wairarapa.
The allegation was made on the grounds that the officer and her partner had knowingly sold, killed or failed to return sheep that had strayed onto their farm.
Police undertook a criminal investigation. The investigation found that migration of sheep from one property to another is common in farming and there was no conclusive evidence the officer or her partner intended to steal or permanently deprive the owner of his sheep.
The officer was also found to have little to do with the running of the farm and there was no evidence that she had committed or was aware of any criminal activity in relation to stock handling.
The Authority agreed with the outcome of the Police investigation and upheld the determination that theft was not proven.
IPCA: 17-0656