Police hat and badge for sale on internet

2.20pm UPDATE

Police are talking to the American website eBay over the auction of a New Zealand police hat and badge.

An "authentic" New Zealand Police visor cap was for sale for about US$30 ($46) and a police badge was being auctioned for US$10 on the eBay trade website.

Superintendent Tony McLeod, from the office of the police commissioner, told NZPA today that police were reviewing their existing policies regarding police equipment and uniforms, and were in discussions with eBay.

He said police equipment and uniforms remained the property of the New Zealand Police, and when members left the force they were required to return all items.

The Press reported that the hat's seller was New Zealand-based while the badge seller was based in the United States.

Mr McLeod said police were particularly concerned about items that could be used to identify people as police officers.

In 2001, triple murderer William Bell walked into the Panmure RSA wearing a police officer's shirt and murdered three staff members.

Bell bought the shirt for $20 from Ese Junior Faleali'i, since also convicted of murder, who admitted stealing the shirt when he burgled a policeman's house.

Police Association spokesman Greg O'Connor said that example showed how dangerous the trading of official police uniform and gear could be.

"William Bell wore a police uniform and I think that is how he got access to the RSA. Crooks running around in police uniforms is dangerous. Clearly you are going to be able to open doors (if you are wearing a police uniform)."

Mr O'Connor said the police gear on sale on eBay could yet turn out to be counterfeit but said it was a problem New Zealand police would have to investigate.

"Someone may have been stockpiling gear (in New Zealand) because at those sort of prices you would have to have a lot to make (internet auctioning) worthwhile. Nobody, except police officers, should legally have that gear," he said.

According to eBay rules, police-related items can be listed for sale only if they are obsolete and "in no way resemble" the current police uniform.

However on the site a potential buyer asked if it was a current issue cap. The answer was "yes it is, the style has not changed for quite a while."

Another buyers asked the size of the badge and requested a picture of the inside of the hat. The answer was that the badge was 45mm long and 35mm wide.

The site also said the hat was a "Awesome visor cap in size 7 1/4. Used, but in excellent condition. Rare find!!"


- NZPA and HERALD STAFF