Officer's job on line after guilty verdict

Ivan Sarich claimed he acted to defend his fiancee and himself. Picture / Alan Gibson

Police are waiting to see if an officer found guilty of assault at his second trial will appeal before deciding if he will remain in the force.

Ivan James Sarich, 36, was found guilty on Monday night of assaulting bar manager Glen Baker in Rotorua three years ago.

It was his second trial on the charge laid after an altercation at the Fuze City Bar on May 21, 2003.

The Crown said Sarich had grabbed Mr Baker around the neck, pushing and punching him in the face after a dispute between Mr Baker and Sarich's fiancee Tracey Wong (who is now Sarich's wife) outside the bar.

The fight started after open bottles of beer were taken out of the bar.

Sarich had claimed that he acted in defence of his partner and himself.

Sarich, who is a serving police officer, clasped his hands and did not visibly react when the jury foreman read out the verdict, as his wife, also a serving police officer, watched from the public gallery.

Sarich did not want to talk but his lawyer David Jones, QC, said Sarich's future in the police would be a decision made by the Police Commissioner Howard Broad.

A spokesman for the commissioner said no decision had been made regarding Sarich's future in the police force.

"A decision won't be made until the court process has been completed. He has a right to appeal," the spokesman said.

The officer in charge of the case, Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Loper of the Rotorua police, was happy with the verdict.

"It has been a long time and we did have to bring witnesses from overseas but justice isn't always easy."

Mr Loper said Mr Baker was pleased at the verdict because he had told the truth throughout about what happened to him.

"They tried to make him look a liar. He is feeling quite vindicated."

Mr Baker, who has left the country and the hospitality industry because of that night, was unavailable for comment.

Mr Loper said Sarich will now face internal disciplinary action.

It is possible he will lose his job.

After the verdict Judge Neil McLean told the jury Sarich had already been found guilty at a previous judge-alone trial.

However, the conviction was appealed and it was found the presiding judge at the first trial had not properly articulated issues surrounding self defence and what was in Sarich's mind at the time of the incident.

A retrial was ordered and Sarich elected trial by jury.

An application was also made to hold the trial out of Rotorua.

Judge McLean ordered Sarich to pay a $1000 fine and $500 reparation to Mr Baker.

The part-owner of Fuze City Bar, Heinz Fett, said he was delighted with the verdict but it had been a long time coming.

"It's great that justice has been done ... We hope this will be the end of it."

Mr Fett and his partner Nicola Kiernander plan to sell the business as a result of the incident.

"It's just too difficult and stressful," said Mr Fett.

He said Sarich should lose his job.

"That is what gives the police a bad name."

- DAILY POST