A Nelson fast-food worker says police pressured him into withdrawing his complaint about two officers short-changing him.
Police held an internal inquiry into claims two officers had intimidated 18-year-old Nick McLean and not paid him enough on New Year's Day after ordering meals at the Nelson McDonald's drive-through.
The officers were $1.90 short, but the outlet could not process a credit-card transaction. They drove off without paying what they owed.
Mr McLean, who paid the balance, originally said he wanted an apology, but the subsequent inquiry cleared both officers.
Nelson Bays police area manager Inspector Jim Wilson said Mr McLean had told police it was a misunderstanding and that he did not want an apology.
But yesterday Mr McLean released a statement saying he was pressured into saying that the incident was a misunderstanding.
His mother, Kathy, told 3 News last night that police, in a three-hour interview, made her son withdraw his complaint.
Mr Wilson could not be contacted after the news broadcast.
Yesterday, a police source said discounts on takeaways were a daily perk for Christchurch police, but any officer would be foolish to see it as a right.
The source said officers regularly got discounted takeaways at McDonald's and other outlets, and believed other uniformed emergency services workers enjoyed similar discounts.
"They like seeing you there. But the golden rule is that you walk in and you should always have the right amount of money."
- STAFF REPORTER, NZPA
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Latest from New Zealand
Meet NZ's national mullet-growing champion - and he's only 10-years-old
Ted Keen has just been named the winner of Aotearoa’s Next Top Mullet.