Four police recruits stood down

Four police recruits have been stood down over allegations of misconduct, understood to include indecent assault.

Stuff understands possible criminal charges are pending against recruits of the Royal New Zealand Police College, with an investigation into five separate incidents under way.

Police have confirmed four recruits have been stood down following allegations laid in the past nine months.

A source says one recruit has been stood down over an indecent assault on the Porirua campus.

Another recruit is understood to have been stood down after a offcampus binge drinking session, which spilled on to the college grounds and led to police property being damaged.

Another incident was confirmed to have occurred in this month.

No-one has been stood down over this incident. Police would not confirm criminal charges were being explored as part of the investigation.

Police general training manager Superintendent Scott Fraser said the four independent incidents leading to the stand-downs happened when recruits were ‘‘off-duty’’.

Three of the incidents being investigated happened off college grounds. An investigation into the behaviour of the four recruits was ongoing. ‘‘When a recruit’s conduct is alleged to not be in line with police’s values we will not hesitate to investigate and deal with the matter appropriately.’’

A bar at the college would be closed next week as part of a longplanned redevelopment, Fraser said. In its place will be a new learning centre and cafe ‘‘with limited alcohol sales’’.

A recruit at the college, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said there was a culture of drinking among some recruits at the college.

The recruit described an incident in which a male recruit, known to ‘‘try it on’’ with female recruits, inappropriately touched another in the college bar.

Police Minister Stuart Nash, who attended the graduation of 79 recruits from Wing 316 on Thursday, said he was not aware of any issues with recruits.

‘‘It is disappointing to hear about the alleged incidents involving recruits. I am advised that there is an ongoing investigation and I am confident it will take a thorough look at events.’’

He had high expectations of all police officers, including those in training.

Police Association president Chris Cahill said the union was likely representing the recruits, who had the standard legal protections of any employee.

Cahill would not comment on individual cases.

‘‘If you look at the number of recruits that are going through the police college, the stand-downs can be for all sorts of different issues.

‘‘The police set very high standards that can be a big adjustment from where some of these people have come from.’’

There was no evidence of a problematic drinking culture among the recruits, he said.

‘‘I don’t believe it’s a problem. It’s certainly a lot less of a problem than general society.’’

‘‘It is disappointing to hear about the alleged incidents involving recruits.’’ Police Minister Stuart Nash