Barclay affair

The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) featured in two articles in the Timaru Herald this week. Winston Peters questioned the independence of the IPCA, and the editorial covered the off and on nature of the Barclay affair.

I have had considerable experience with the IPCA and the public needs to know the IPCA does NOT investigate the Police. As I was told by the manager of investigations, Pieter Roosendaal, ex cop, only the police investigate complaints. The IPCA ensures the mechanics are squeaky clean.

The connection between the IPCA and the Police is close, with ex-officers occupying most of the positions in the IPCA. So much for the IPCA being “independent”.

Lurking in the background is Police indiscriminate use of a discretionary right to determine whether or not an investigation is warranted. In my opinion that is as silly as giving a 10-year-old boy a fully loaded AK47. Ian Geary Timaru IPCA Chair Judge Sir David Carruthers responds: Thank you for forwarding Mr Geary’s letter to us for comment. Your readers will be interested to know that Mr Geary is wrong and the IPCA does indeed investigate Police in proper cases and reports publicly on such investigations. A glance at our website shows that: www.ipca.govt.nz. One such report was issued publicly today (July 20). Many of these reports are highly critical of Police.

And, whilst we do have expolice working as part of our investigations teams (mostly ex UK Police!) they represent only a small proportion of our operational staff, who have a variety of legal and administrative backgrounds. Further, no ex police officer is in the management team and responsible for final decisions. Statement: ‘‘On Tuesday 20 June, 2017, the IPCA received a complaint about the Police investigation into the actions of Todd Barclay MP. The complainant, Mr Graeme Axford, is not an affected party in the matter under investigation.