An investigation into an undisclosed sexual relationship between two police staff had significant deficiencies, the police watchdog says.
Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
The investigation found the two staff used police facilities when "conducting consensual sexual activity".
The Independent Police Conduct Authority said it oversaw the investigation which came after a complaint about the activity. It also raised potential criminal conduct by both staff.
However, the IPCA said there was insufficient evidence to lay criminal charges.
It said there were significant deficiencies in the investigation, including the particular steps police took as an employer to establish whether its staff may have engaged in misconduct.
"It is noted that police attempted to resolve the employment concerns by an alternate resolution pathway.
"However, the process became unduly complex which hindered the final actions that could be taken by the employer."
The watchdog said deficiencies were not caused by neglect or inaction of individual investigators.
"They arose from police's management of the complaint."
Police also sought to trial a restorative approach, it said.
"Yet the purpose of that approach, and the steps it involved, were not clearly defined.
"There were also significant procedural issues, including failures to make or retain important organisational records. Roles and reporting lines were not properly followed."
In response to the authority concerns, police later conducted their own review of the investigations.
The IPCA said it agrees with the findings and recommendations which largely confirmed its own independent view.