South Auckland police offiver granted diversion for careless driving charge

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A South Auckland police officer has been granted diversion for a careless driving charge after a pursuit in which two police cars collided.

Hamish McCormack, 30, avoided a conviction today for the careless driving charge.

A registrar at the Manukau District Court said the matter didn't appear in court because McCormack was given diversion at the registry.

According to court documents, the crash happened on Takanini School Rd and Manuroa Rd on September 1.

Nationally, 131 police officers have faced charges in the past five years.

The number of police charged was highest in 2013 at 35. Last year, 29 police were charged.

Between 2010 and 2014, 313 police received counselling, 373 were disciplined through professional conversation, 173 received performance management and an adverse report was filed for one police officer.

A further 178 police were given first warnings, 63 second warnings and 71 officers were given third and final warnings. Five officers were dismissed and five were reprimanded.

Meanwhile, 136 officers resigned and 17 retired during the disciplinary process.

- additional reporting by Catherine Gaffaney