Jacinda Ardern has received the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) report into complaints over Deputy Commissioner Wally Haumaha’s behaviour, the Prime Minister confirmed to reporters today.
"I, on receiving that, have also sought legal advice from the Solicitor-General. My reason for that is that this is an appointment of constitutional importance.
"The advice I received from the Solicitor-General is very clear, that whilst the IPCA has found inappropriate behaviour, there has not been a clear threshold met for the removal of Mr Haumaha from his role," she said.
"I, however, had made my expectations very clear – I'm very disappointed at the findings of the IPCA report, which shows Mr Haumaha has, in some cases, acted inappropriately and unprofessionally.
"There is a clear expectation on police that they act professionally. I have relayed my views to the Minister of Police and asked that he pass on to the commissioner my expectation that he deal with those matters as employment matters."
The appointment of Mr Haumaha was found to be appropriate following a Government inquiry earlier this year. (Source: Other)
"My expectation is the Police maintain the highest standards of professionalism and show respect both for the public and everyone working with them at all times," Ms Ardern said in a press release.
In a statement, National Party Police spokesperson Chris Bishop called Mr Haumaha's behaviour "inappropriate, unprofessional and intimidating", adding that the Prime Minister's appointment of him to the position was "a debacle from the start".
"The Prime Minister has had multiple opportunities to act, after repeated concerns raised by National but has failed to do so. Wally Haumaha’s position as the country’s second highest ranking cop is now untenable."
Police Commissioner Mike Bush said while the investigation did not find evidence of bullying, the report has raised issues he is taking seriously.
"These are matters that I will deal with as Commissioner of Police.
"I expect high standards from all my staff, but especially members of my Executive.
"The IPCA report clarifies a number of matters that have been traversed in the media in recent months."
It comes after an Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) report released today found that Mr Haumaha acted inappropriately at times during a high-pressure government project in 2016.
The IPCA report cleared Mr Haumaha, who was promoted to the position in May, of several complaints into his behaviour.
However, it also found that he acted poorly on two separate occasions, including one incident in which he was believed to have acted inappropriately and unprofessionally for a senior executive.
The report concluded that his behaviour was “inappropriate and unprofessional” but did not clearly constitute workplace bullying.
An investigation into a third complaint surrounding his behaviour in implicitly asking staff to support him in refuting allegations about his conduct was found to be inappropriate.
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