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Allegations
of Abuse in Institutions |
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A criminal lawyer says
an inquiry into the conduct of police officers in south Auckland is not
before time. Criminal Bar
Association immediate past-president, Robin Brown, says he's not surprised by
the case because he hears frequently of "wanton violence in police
cells." Police will investigate
the behaviour of officers at the Wiri station following the hearing of Senior
Sergeant Anthony Solomona who was found guilty of assaulting a
17-year-old at an Auckland service station in February last year. During the trial,
police practices were uncovered which Judge Bruce Davidson described as
"disturbing." Evidence included
photographs of young suspects wearing demeaning signs and of a balaclava-clad
person dressed in a police uniform holding a machete and an axe. On Thursday, police
bosses moved swiftly and announced they will launch an inquiry into what's
believed to be an isolated incident. Assistant commissioner
for crime and crash reduction Peter Marshall said the "appalling
behaviour of a few officers in south Auckland...will not be tolerated within
the police." Marshall promised to
identify any culprits and put an end to the behaviour. The District Commander
for Counties-Manukau Superintendent Steve Shortland has requested help with
the inquiry from outside his district. Shortland said other senior
officers at the station have given guarantees they were not aware of that
type of behaviour in their areas. |
