Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has ordered a review into Superintendent Rakesh Naidoo's activities during the period he was in discussions with the Labour Party about becoming a potential future MP.
A political row erupted yesterday after the senior officer was named at number 13 on Labour's party list, with the commissioner and police minister questioning whether he had disclosed his intentions early enough internally.
Minister Mark Mitchell was blistering in his criticism of Labour and Naidoo's actions yesterday, saying he had been "particularly disappointed".
Chambers said today the review would cover meetings Naidoo had been involved in as a senior police leader; the information he had been privy to by virtue of his position; and whether anything had been shared with a third party that should not have been shared.
"As a senior police officer, Superintendent Rakesh Naidoo was privy to sensitive information and I need to be reassured information he has been privy to through the course of his duties has been handled properly," the commissioner said.
"A review will be undertaken over the period during which … Naidoo was engaging with the Labour Party, prior to him advising NZ Police of his candidacy intentions.
"That review will include meetings he was involved in as a senior police leader, the information he was privy to by virtue of his position, and whether anything was shared with any third party that should not have been shared."
He added: "Rakesh Naidoo is due to take pre-planned leave from tomorrow.
"As explained yesterday, police is now in discussions with him about the period of leave he will be expected to take ahead of the election."
Chambers said yesterday he had been "very disappointed" Naidoo had not told him earlier about his candidacy, calling it "untenable" for him to continue in his police role.
Naidoo, the police's national partnerships manager for ethnic, iwi and communities, was named at number 13 on Labour's party list released yesterday.
Under the most recent 1News Verian poll, which had Labour on 37%, that ranking would likely see him comfortably elected to Parliament as a list MP.
'Good faith - not through the media' - Hipkins responds
In a statement, Labour leader Chris Hipkins said he was "very surprised" to see the commissioner "publicly entertaining any suggestion" Naidoo had disclosed sensitive information "without any evidence whatsoever".
"Rakesh Naidoo is a man of the utmost integrity, and I am confident he has conducted himself respectfully while remaining mindful of the political neutrality of New Zealand Police," he said in a statement.
"He has not disclosed any sensitive police information to the Labour Party, and I’m very surprised to see the Police Commissioner publicly entertaining any suggestion he has without any evidence whatsoever.
"As I indicated when we announced his candidacy, the Labour Party is committed to preserving the political neutrality of the police force and will support their decisions on how to manage Rakesh’s transition accordingly.
"I would, however, expect any engagement to be in good faith – not through the media."
Police Minister disappointed
Police Minister Mitchell said on Monday he had been "particularly disappointed" Naidoo had been included in sensitive briefings on public safety and government policy while considering his candidacy.
Mitchell said Naidoo had attended events with him as recently as Sunday afternoon.
"The constabulary powers that police officers hold must clearly be free from political interference or connection," Mitchell said.
Hipkins stood by his candidate yesterday, describing him as "a real catch" and saying he had informed police once he had been clear he wanted to go ahead.
Speaking to Breakfast this morning, he said Naidoo had acted with "utmost integrity" and described Mitchell's position as "unreasonable".
He confirmed Labour had first approached Naidoo a couple of months ago to gauge his interest, but said Naidoo only made his final decision to proceed last week, at which point he informed his police superiors.
"I think some of the language that has been used here is unfair on Rakesh Naidoo, who I think has acted with absolute integrity," Hipkins said.
Naidoo became the first person from the Asian community to reach the rank of inspector in 2012 and had been made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2023 for services to police and ethnic communities.
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