Top cop completes diversion

Hawkes Bay Police area commander Tania Kura completed diversion by attending a defensive driving course. Photo/ Paul Taylor.

A top Hawke's Bay police officer has completed her diversion by taking part in a defensive driving course.

Hawke's Bay Area Commander Inspector Tania Kura was on duty in her patrol car when she was involved in a crash with another vehicle on Maraekakaho Rd in Hastings, on November 26 last year.

After an investigation she was charged with careless driving and first appeared in court on April 15 where her application for interim name suppression was granted.

Suppression lapsed at a second appearance in June where the case was adjourned for diversion.

Police confirmed last night that Ms Kura had completed her diversion and attended a defensive driving course.

"Police consider that the matter has now been dealt with in full by the Court and as such, have nothing further to add," a police spokeswoman said.

The New Zealand Police website states diversion provides an opportunity for some offenders to be dealt in an "out of court way".

If the diversion (typically a donation to a charity or voluntary work) is carried out in a given timeframe, no conviction will be entered.

The scheme is at the discretion of police, who are the only ones who can offer it.

Defendants must plead guilty to the charge before they can be considered for diversion.

When asked earlier if police should be offering diversions to one of their own, District Commander of the Eastern District Superintendent Sandra Venables said police staff could be considered for diversion if they have met the criteria, 'like any member of the public'.