Star in police probe
I believe that this outcome infuriated Davis, who in turn has abused his position as a high-ranking police officer to manufacture a vexatious charge against me.’ COMPLAINT AGAINST NATE DAVIS
cop received a court summons to say he’d been charged with several hunting offences, and faced a maximum penalty of two years prison or a $100,000 fine.
The former officer said he had the correct permits and firearms licence, and was never interviewed during the course of the police investigation.
Davis was the officer in charge of the case.
Just before it was due to go to trial in February, police withdrew the charges.
The ex-officer had served for 16 years in the New Zealand police before leaving the force in 2011, alleging he had been bullied by a senior officer.
He took a claim to the Employment Relations Authority alleging constructively dismissal. After a two year legal battle, he received a confidential payout from police.
‘‘I believe that this outcome infuriated Davis, who in turn has abused his position as a highranking police officer to manufacture a vexatious charge against me,’’ the officer said in his complaint.
The former officer complained to the IPCA in February soon after police dropped their charges.
This week, the IPCA referred the complaint back to police to investigate, but will continue to oversee the investigation.
Davis, 44, who is among the nine remaining contestants on TVNZ’s Survivor NZ series, had recently returned from filming the reality TV show in Nicaragua when the IPCA complaint was made.
Davis became an internet sensation in April, when the Central Police district posted a video of him singing the Earth, Wind and Fire song September to implore motorists to take it easy on the roads over the long weekend.
The clip, inspired by ‘Carpool Karaoke’, received hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube and earned Davis the nickname the Singing Detective.
A week later, Davis was unveiled as one of 16 finalists on Survivor NZ.
A Television New Zealand spokeswoman said the show would not be affected by the investigation.
‘‘We plan to screen Survivor New Zealand as is,’’ she said.
‘‘Filming wrapped in Nicaragua late last year, with the exception of next month’s live final. As part of the selection process all contestants undergo Police checks and we’re comfortable with the disclosures made.
‘‘Any questions relating to Nate’s work should be referred to his employer. We won’t be commenting on police matters.’’
Publicity for the show described Davis as ‘‘a bit of a character’’.
‘‘He’s a big lad, and would probably tower over most people.’’
A police spokesman said: ‘‘In general, police are unable to respond to requests that seek to establish whether specific individuals are, or have been, under police investigation.’’
An IPCA spokeswoman said: ‘‘We cannot confirm or deny the existence of any complaints.’’