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Police watchdog launches nationwide probe into photography policy
22 Dec, 2020 11:52 PM
2 minutes to read
The probe comes after police in Masterton admitted to illegally taking photos of young Māori. Photo / RNZ
RNZ
By Hamish Cardwell and Te Aniwa Hurihanganui, of RNZ.
Revelations of police in Masterton illegally photographing young Māori in the region have prompted a nationwide probe to be undertaken by the police watchdog.
The practice came to light after multiple reports by whānau describing their sons walking alone in broad daylight, when officers approach and insist on taking their picture.
There had been growing calls for a national investigation including from the Children s Commissioner, Wairarapa iwi and community lawyers.
The police watchdog has launched a nationwide probe after the police in Masterton admitted illegally photographing young Māori in the district.
The IPCA wants to find out if the practice of photographing young people is widespread.
Photo: All Rights Reserved.
RNZ has heard multiple reports from whānau in Masterton going back at least two years describing their sons walking alone in broad daylight when officers approached and insisted on taking their picture.
Questioned about this, police revealed that an August review found three photographs, all of young Māori, contravened legislation and had since been destroyed.
There were growing calls for a national investigation including from the Children s Commissioner, Wairarapa iwi and community lawyers.
Commissioner Andrew Becroft described the practice as corrosive and irresponsible policing.
Independent Police Conduct Authority chair Judge Colin Doherty said the authority would look at whether the practice was widespread. We ll be out there having a very good look at, not just what is being sent to us, but any wider ramifications that we think we want to look at. If this was widespread practice, then we would want to know all of the details about where it is, how long it s been going, etc.
Judge Doherty says once it has all the information from the police it will make a decision about what form the investigation will take.