Two senior police officers are on trial at the High Court in Auckland today, charged with kidnapping a teenager.
Hurimoana Dennis. Photo: RNZ / Edward Gay
Police Inspector Hurimoana Dennis faces two charges of kidnapping, while his colleague Vaughan Perry faces one charge.
A 17-year-old laid a complaint with police accusing Mr Dennis and Mr Perry of carrying out a "mock arrest" by putting the teenager in a cell at the Auckland Central Police Station.
Mr Dennis is also accused of forcing the teenager to leave the country.
A jury was selected this morning. Jurors were told the teenager was threatened with being charged with statutory rape by a senior police officer if he did not leave the country.
Crown prosecutor Brian Dickey told the jurors in his opening address that the 17-year-old was in a relationship with a 15 year-old girl but his family did not approve.
Mr Dickey said the teenager's family were friends with Mr Dennis, who became involved when the teen refused to break off the relationship.
He said Mr Dennis had the 17-year-old picked up and brought to the Auckland Central Police Station where he was processed, searched and threatened with a charge of statutory rape.
Mr Dickey said Mr Perry was the custody sergeant at the time and went along with a plan. He said the teenager agreed to move to Australia and was flown out by family members the following day.
