A police officer has been fined $150 after being caught on camera watching what appeared to be a rugby league game while driving a marked car last week.
The video, circulating widely on social media and believed to have been recorded in Auckland last Wednesday, showed two officers inside a marked car.
A phone was positioned on the centre console and appeared to be playing the second game of this year's State of Origin series.
Police said the staff involved in the incident came forward and had been spoken to.
"The driver has been issued an infringement notice, and both staff have been reminded of the high standards required when operating police vehicles."
Inspector MinHo Lee said police apologised for the incident.
"We acknowledge the concern this may have caused. We want to be clear that police officers must role model safe behaviour on our roads and they should lead by example," he said.
“We are committed to maintaining the high standards our communities rightly expect of us."
The penalty for using a mobile phone while driving in New Zealand is a $150 fine and 20 demerit points.
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