Police brace for release of sex report

Dame Margaret Bazley's report into police conduct is expected to contain details of inappropriate sexual activity. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The police's top brass are bracing themselves for the release of a report likely to show that historical sex complaints against serving officers were not always dealt with properly.

The long-awaited report of the Commission of Inquiry into Police Conduct will be made public today, and the Prime Minister suggested yesterday it would confirm that some "disgusting" things went on.

Helen Clark, who read the report at the weekend, said the Cabinet had discussed its lengthy list of recommendations favourably.

"Some appalling things have happened. They haven't always been well handled. They are largely historical. They shouldn't have happened. They are disgusting.

"But the police force is not characterised by such behaviour."

The report's sensitivity means it will be handed to the media under an embargo in the morning before the Prime Minister holds a press conference alongside Police Minister Annette King and the inquiry's author, Dame Margaret Bazley.

Police Commissioner Howard Broad will front his own media conference later in the day.

There is thought to be concern among police that the report - triggered by historic rape allegations against some officers - will further dent public confidence in the force.

But Helen Clark said she doubted that.

"I don't think it's possible for it to be shaken any further because there's been so much reporting of what went on.

"It's clear that things have gone on which should not have gone on.

"The comforting thing is that these things are relatively rare."

The report is expected to show that problems within the police were largely historical.

But with fresh allegations emerging in the past two weeks about more-recent group sex involving serving officers and batons and handcuffs, the Prime Minister avoided firmly stating that.

"It remains to be seen whether the matters that were reported in the Sunday papers a week ago involve any contemporary case. If it does, the police will have to deal with that."