A senior officer in trouble for allegedly holding a teenager against his will during a fake arrest, has pleaded not guilty to kidnapping charges.
Inspector Hurimoana Dennis has pleaded not guilty on two counts of kidnapping at Auckland District Court today.
His lawyer, Steve Bonnar has elected for a trial by jury.
Outside court he vowed to fight the charge.
"My family and I will defend this until the last sentence. No matter what, we adhere to the principles, the justice and the truth of God."
When asked if he agreed to the charges laid, he said Pakeha officials have their own practices, but no matter what, they'll uphold the mana of the Dennis name.
It's alleged he put a 17-year-old boy temporarily in a cell at the Auckland Central Police Station to end the teenager's relationship with a 15-year-old girl.
His colleague officer Vaughan Perry has also pleaded not guilty to charges related to the incidences.
Both officers have been remanded on bail to appear in February.