Police recruit betrayed by own fingerprint

A police recruit has been betrayed by his own fingerprint. During a fingerprinting exercise at the Porirua police college three weeks ago the recruit's print matched him to an outstanding arrest warrant for a serious assault. He was arrested late last week.

Training commander Superintendent Alistair Beckett said screening processes were demanding and extensive but never foolproof. Recruits did not usually have things they wanted to hide.

Starting from next month's intake, all recruits will be fingerprinted before starting their training.