The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) is investigating the handling of an alleged poaching incident in Central Otago involving two Christchurch police officers, but the Department of Conservation has let them off with a warning, despite "sufficient evidence" an offence was committed. IPCA complaints manager Pieter Roozendaal said yesterday it was reviewing the police investigation as well as conducting its own inquiries. Federated Farmers laid one of the complaints to the IPCA, urging it to examine police handling of the alleged incident. "We have had members complaining about it, mainly those in Central Otago." Federated Farmers Otago still wanted to support Central Otago police, who had "done a fantastic job in the past on cracking down on poaching".

Source: Otago Daily Times October 28, 2016 17:11 UTC