Police officer found to have used intelligence database to check cars he was trading
Words: Autocar
A police officer used the police intelligence database to check cars he was buying and selling, the NZ Herald reports.
The officer, who has name suppression, pleaded guilty this week to representative charges of dishonestly accessing a computer system and reckless driving. He has been stood down and is due to be sentenced in February.
According to the summary of facts, he used the Police National Intelligence Application (PNIA) multiple times for matters unrelated to police business.
In 2023, while buying and selling vehicles, he checked that a car he had sold had been changed into the buyer’s name, and checked whether two cars he was considering buying were of interest to police.
He also looked up a third car on his phone in front of its seller. When the search showed the seller was not the registered owner, he challenged whether the sale was legitimate.
In 2024 he used the database to look up information on his brother-in-law’s ex-partner.
The reckless driving charge relates to a ride-along, during which he reached speeds of up to about 146km/h with lights and siren activated.
The summary of facts says he wanted to show his privileged access, “increasing his importance, influence and credibility”.
