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Allegations
of Abuse in Institutions |
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Green MP calls for
investigation into police behaviour Police Minister George
Hawkins should implement an independent investigation of police culture after
revelations that it is common practice in stations around the country to
photograph prisoners being humiliated by officers, Green Party Police
Spokesperson Keith Locke says. The call comes after
senior South Auckland police officer Senior Sergeant Anthony Solomona was
found guilty of assaulting a 17-year-old at a Manurewa service station last
year. During the trial it was
revealed that police had a wider culture of humiliating prisoners and
photographing them wearing demeaning signs. The practice was confirmed by
another officer, Sergeant John Nelson, who said it was part of police culture
and was unlikely to be understood by the average citizen. "If what
Sergeant Nelson says it true, and the practice is widespread in stations
around New Zealand, then it needs to be stopped. "I want the
practice investigated by someone independent of the police," Mr Locke
says. "It is
unacceptable that those who are tasked with upholding the law, should behave
in such a manner." "Judge [Bruce]
Davidson described the culture as sick, and I have to agree," Mr Locke
said |
