On two occasions the policeman entered the Kaingaroa Forest without a permit, the Independent Police Conduct Authority found during its investigation. The officer in question had already been trespassed from the forest before he was caught collecting wood - on a day he was supposed to be working. His trespass notice began in 2016, after a vehicle towing a trailer was seen entering the forest without permission. The forest security manager realised the officer was still prohibited from entering the forest and notified police," the IPCA report said. Authority chair Colin Doherty said the officer both trespassed the forest and breached police policy by using the police truck for private use while collecting firewood on duty.

Source: Stuff December 18, 2019 22:18 UTC