Two women are facing criminal charges after the wife of the constable who shot and killed Waitara man Steven Wallace was harassed.
Central district commander Superintendent Mark Lammas said yesterday that the constable's wife was followed from a function held for the officer and his family at the New Plymouth police station on Saturday night.
He declined to say what allegedly happened in the incident between the two women and the constable's wife.
Mr Lammas said that since the April 30 shooting, the constable had been on special leave, and he and his family had moved out of their Waitara home to an undisclosed location.
The constable wanted to return to police work, but felt it would be unsafe to return to Waitara, where he had lived in for eight years.
Mr Lammas said the two arrested women were in custody and would appear in the New Plymouth District Court today.
He would not disclose the ages of the women or say where they came from.
He said criminal harassment carried a maximum sentence of two years' imprisonment, as well as other options, such as a fine.
A third female, who was present when the two women were arrested, faced a charge of using offensive language and possessing cannabis. She was given bail.
Last month, a police investigation found that the constable - whom nearly all media offices have chosen not to name - acted lawfully and in self-defence when he shot Mr Wallace, aged 23.
The young man had rampaged through the main street of Waitara, attacked vehicles and buildings and threatened to kill the constable.
The Wallace whanau's lawyer, John Rowan, QC, is examining the police findings and considering the feasibility of a private prosecution.
- NZPA
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