Abuse backlog inquiry widened to all of NZ

Relevant offers

Crime

Ten snapped up in Twizel drug sting Child sex photo case delayed Cash, drugs, weapons seized in 'biggest' bust Renewed hope in Hobsonville RSA attack case Suppression lifted on fatal Waikato crash accused Men in court after raid on Auckland apartment Suppression ends for hit and run accused Charges over Kapiti coast fatal car crash Stolen car chased through Wellington Suppression lapses for kidnap accused

A backlog of unresolved child abuse cases in Wairarapa could be the tip of a nationwide issue.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority has announced that investigations into a buildup of child abuse cases in the Wellington district will be expanded to the whole country.

Authority chairman Justice Lowell Goddard says it appears the region is not alone in failing to process complaints quickly.

"The authority has received evidence that there have been delays or issues with management of child abuse cases in districts other than the Wairarapa and is therefore treating this as a nationwide inquiry."

A year ago, the Wairarapa situation led to Operation Hope to clear the backlog, after revelations that there were 108 unresolved files in the offices of Masterton detectives. During the operation, a complaint dating back 11 years was uncovered.

The authority had originally intended to oversee a police investigation, but announced in August that it would run its own inquiry.

Justice Goddard said the authority was concerned about the delays, and the investigation would look at how child abuse cases were received, prioritised and investigated, along with police practices, policies and procedures.

The inquiry will include an audit of child abuse cases throughout New Zealand.

Police Association president Greg O'Connor welcomed the wider investigation.

Child abuse was an area of great concern given the amount of work involved and the lack of available staff, he said. "Hopefully there will be an understanding of the large volumes."

The complicated nature of the cases meant that from complaint to court, the process could take more than two years, and police often had several cases running simultaneously.

His comments came after officers expressed concern about the investigation in September. They were worried they were being set up to take the fall, despite asking senior police for help because of the unmanageable workload.

Assistant Police Commissioner Malcolm Burgess said police had already put a lot of effort into ensuring the authority was able to access everything it needed, and would continue to do so.

There is no time limit on the investigation, but an authority spokesman said the level of work involved meant it would take some time.

- © Fairfax NZ News