Security guard accused of money laundering has certificate cancelled

The security guard failed to appear in court so a warrant was issued for his arrest - but he seems to have had other ideas. Photo / 123rf

NOTE: Since this story was published, new information has emerged indicating Kanwarpal Singh was already overseas when police charged him.

A security guard facing four money laundering charges fled the country.

The case emerged in a new Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority decision.

The authority’s Trish McConnell said police made a complaint against Kanwarpal Singh.

He failed to appear in court so a warrant was issued for his arrest.

McConnell said police had told her Singh left New Zealand in January and had not returned.

A conviction on any charges Singh faced would be grounds for disqualification of his security certificate.

The Private Security Personnel and Private Investigators Act is used to regulate the industry and outlines grounds for disqualification.

A person ordered by a court to be detained in a hospital for mental conditions meets the grounds to be disqualified.

So does anyone ever ordered by a court to be detained in a penal institution following conviction who has not since had that conviction quashed.

“While Mr Singh has not been convicted, he has left the country and is avoiding facing up to charges,” McConnell added.

“He was also advised that unless he requested a hearing, the police complaint would be dealt with on the papers.”

“On the papers” generally means a hearing based on written material not requiring a person’s physical attendance.

“Singh has neither responded to the police complaint nor asked for a hearing into the complaint,” McConnell said.

“Based on the information before me I conclude that Mr Singh is no longer suitable to work as a security guard.”

Singh’s certificate of approval was cancelled.

John Weekes is a business journalist covering aviation and courts. He has previously covered consumer affairs, crime, politics and courts.

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