The Authority oversaw a Police investigation into a complaint that a Counties Manukau Police officer misused the National Police database (NIA) by accessing their ex-partner’s family and new partner’s information on NIA. The complainant also alleged the officer shared information they obtained from Police records about mutual friends with her ex-partner.
The investigation included an audit of the officer’s NIA use. This showed no evidence the officer had searched for their mutual friends or ex-partner’s family on NIA. Police also found no evidence to support the allegation the officer had shared Police information with the complainant’s ex-partner.
However, the audit did find that the officer had accessed various other Police records that were not for work purposes. Police identified 83 unjustified NIA checks on the officer’s neighbours, ex-partner, and their ex-partner’s new partner. The officer provided a lawful explanation for searching their ex-partner’s new partner, however, acknowledged the other searches were not for a lawful purpose.
The officer received an employment outcome for breaching the Police Code of Conduct by misusing the database. The Authority agrees with the Police process.
IPCA: 23-18879