By PATRICK GOWER
The country's acting police chief has reissued a speeding ticket to a Gisborne detective who had it waived twice.
Assistant Commissioner Paul Fitzharris, national head of police operations, has ordered that the $510 fine be imposed again on Detective Senior Sergeant Malcolm Johnston, head of the Gisborne CIB.
The notice had twice been waived by Detective Senior Sergeant Johnston's superiors in Gisborne.
The detective was snapped by a speed camera driving at 95 km/h in a 50 km/h zone on Gisborne's main street on November 6.
The ticket was initially waived by Eastern District commander Superintendent Pat Moore.
Detective Senior Sergeant Johnston first said he was hurrying to a homicide in Wairoa. But when it was found that the murder had occurred the day before and an offender was already in custody, he said he was driving to a briefing.
The ticket was waived again.
Mr Fitzharris yesterday also released the findings of two other investigations into police conduct:
* A constable will be counselled after helping Constable Brian Scott, charged with sex offences, to leave the Hamilton District Court through a restricted exit.
* Another unnamed constable who allowed Superintendent Brett Marsh, facing drink-driving charges, to use a judge's exit at the Auckland District Court will also be counselled over an "error of judgment."
Last night, Mr Fitzharris said he was reinforcing orders that police were not to be given preferential treatment.
It is the second time this month Mr Fitzharris has issued such an order. He issued the first immediately after Marsh used the judge's entrance, but saw it ignored only days later when Scott appeared in Hamilton.
Mr Fitzharris said the constables in Auckland and Hamilton had acted contrary to police procedure.
In the Johnston case, Mr Fitzharris said that he deemed it necessary to overrule Mr Moore.
"[Reducing] speeds on New Zealand roads is a key safety plank. Police actions must be seen to be consistent with that."
Detective Senior Sergeant Johnston could not be reached for comment.
Mr Moore, who this week stood by his decision to waive the tickets, said that he accepted Mr Fitzharris' decision.
Police Association president Greg O'Connor said the fact that "minor instances" of preferential treatment reached top police management meant the public need not be concerned about the integrity of the force.
"Police are very hard on each other when they fall out of line."
The Minister of Police, George Hawkins, said he met Mr Fitzharris to discuss the three officers.
"Police must set a good example for everyone. Policing is a hard job but they must always work within the law."
Top cop pulls rank to reinstate ticket
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