20 Dec 2013

Police boss sued over corrupt officer case

7:54 pm on 20 December 2013

Four Christchurch officers are suing Police Commissioner Peter Marshall over comments made about the prosecution of a former senior constable.

Peter Marshall.

Peter Marshall. Photo: NZ POLICE

Gordon Meyer was sentenced to nine months' home detention on Thursday after admitting bribery and corruption charges and one count of indecent assault in relation to two women he sought sexual favours from in 2011.

Lawyer Grant Cameron represents the four officers who were formerly part of the management team at the Christchurch South station, where Meyer worked.

Mr Cameron said on Friday that Mr Marshall has tried to scapegoat the station by letting people believe there were leadership problems, when an inquiry had already established that was not the case.

He said his clients' relationships with local government, MPs and community leaders have been damaged by false comments about leadership and operational problems at the station.

Gordon Meyer.

Gordon Meyer. Photo: SUPPLIED

Mr Cameron said the officers have asked for an apology from Mr Marshall, but that hasn't happened yet.

"Absolute silence. We had suggested to them that they would have to move relatively quickly. We gave them more than one deadline, shall we say, for a response and there's been a studious silence.

"They could certainly address the matter properly if they wished to. But if they don't, we'll just continue and file proceedings in the High Court probably by the first of February."