Police have cleared a Dunedin officer of any wrongdoing in relation to an allegation she assaulted her son.
The child’s father says he has been left "gobsmacked" by the investigation and its outcome.
The Otago Daily Times reported in July that a Dunedin police officer was being investigated after Child, Youth and Family (CYF) was advised of an allegation the officer assaulted her pre-teen son.
In a statement yesterday, a police spokesperson said the officer was cleared of wrongdoing.
"Police have completed their investigation into this matter," the statement said.
"There is no evidence to support the allegation made against the officer and police will be taking no further action."
The ODT understands the allegation was investigated by a South Canterbury detective and the file was reviewed after a complaint was made to the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) about the initial investigation.
The allegations were first revealed by the New Zealand Police Conduct Association, a whistle-blower organisation which is independent of police and the Government.
IPCA complaints manager Pieter Roozendaal said he could not comment on whether a complaint was laid with the authority.
However, the child’s father told the ODT he felt the investigation was unsatisfactory, as was the outcome.
"I’m not happy about the result. I’m not happy that my son hasn’t had his voice," he said.
He confirmed he laid a complaint with the IPCA about the initial investigation, which he said was completed in three weeks and without him being interviewed despite him being the one who notified CYF about the incident.
He became aware of the allegations after his son contacted him about the alleged incident while he was overseas.
The child provided images of injuries which "showed a definite handprint", he said.
He was advised the IPCA complaint had been referred to police, who reviewed the file and emailed him in regards to the outcome of that review yesterday.
Neither the child nor he were interviewed as part of the review, he said.
"I’m obviously looking for him to have his say and have his voice and whatever avenues that I have to take I will be pursuing that," he said.
"When your child’s credibility is called into question, you are going to protect him from that."
