Haumaha belittled staff: IPCA
The police watchdog has found deputy commissioner Wally Haumaha belittled and acted inappropriately to two female staff.
Stuff understands Haumaha faces criticism in the longawaited Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) report due today, which will find he acted improperly during a highpressure Government project in 2016.
The report, expected to be released at midday, will be one of three to come from a series of allegations that have beleaguered Haumaha since his promotion to deputy commissioner in May.
It is understood aspects of the findings, which differ from those of a prior Government inquiry, are likely to be challenged.
The report does not determine workplace bullying occurred, but does find that in two instances he behaved inappropriately and unprofessionally towards two staff who subsequently left the joint project at Police Headquarters.
During one meeting, he belittled and humiliated a staffer.
Two other instances of alleged bullying were found to be unsubstantiated.
After taking legal advice, Haumaha asked fellow officers and others to support him – deemed improper – and shared inappropriate information about a complainant.
The 2016 allegations were also traversed by a Government inquiry, headed by Mary
Scholtens, QC, who in a November report described the women as feeling ‘‘bullied and belittled’’ by Haumaha.
Tension among the project team culminated in a meeting during which Haumaha assertively asked members individually for their commitment to him and the joint project.
Haumaha said it was a straightforward question: ‘‘Are you in the game or not?’’
Scholtens said the allegations were irrelevant to Haumaha’s appointment and ‘‘at worst’’ offered information about Haumaha’s management style.
‘‘Police can be expected to have substantial information and experience about how DC Haumaha interacts with women over his 32 years in police.’’
The two women, Ministry of Justice and Corrections staffers, laid formal complaints after Haumaha’s promotion was thrown into question in June.
Victims advocate Louise Nicholas made headlines questioning Haumaha’s suitability for the role, bringing forward comments he made in support of accused rapists to Operation Austin investigators in 2004.
It sparked Scholtens’ inquiry into his appointment, which determined Nicholas’ concerns had no ‘‘verifiable basis’’ and the process that appointed him was fit for purpose.
A State Services Commission review into the handling of bullying allegations by the Ministry of Justice and Corrections is also expected to be released today.
While not being labelled an investigation or inquiry, the review will look into the differing accounts of how departments responded to the bullying allegations in 2016.