16 Feb 2016

IPCA backs police warning for explicit images

10:42 am on 16 February 2016

Police did the right thing in giving only warnings to a group of schoolboys after they performed crude acts on drunk girls and put pictures online, the Independent Police Conduct Authority has found.

Patrick Walsh from the Secondary Principals' Association spoke out in November about the case, which he said involved senior boys from an unnamed secondary school.

He said the students took explicit photos of themselves with drunk girls, including some who were hardly conscious, before posting the pictures on a private Facebook page. He was concerned the boys only received warnings from police.

Judge Sir David Carruthers at the release report on police handling investigation onto 'Roastbusters' alleged offending

IPCA chairman Sir David Carruthers (file) Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson

He said the case reflected a similar attitude from young men as that in the so-called Roastbusters case.

The police watchdog released a summary report this morning.

The IPCA's report said it had received three complaints from concerned members of the public.

It found police properly evaluated how to best deal with the incident and took appropriate action.

Authority chair Judge Sir David Carruthers said police communicated well with all involved, including the school, and comparisons with the Roastbusters case were not justified.