The Department of Corrections has decided against applying to the New Zealand Parole Board for the recall. Lakich was not deemed to pose an "undue risk to the safety of the community", Community Probation Services general manager Katrina Casey said yesterday.
Lakich, who was released from prison on parole in 2004, appeared in the Christchurch District Court last month and pleaded guilty to two benefit fraud charges, involving a total of about $3000.
He was convicted and remanded for sentencing on March 17.
Ms Casey said the decision was made after careful assessment of Lakich's circumstances.
"When we consider making an application to the New Zealand Parole Board to recall an offender, we carefully consider the offender's circumstances and the risk they pose to the community.
To meet the standard for a recall application to be approved, we must demonstrate that the offender is an undue risk to the safety of the community," she said.
"Community Probation Services staff have taken action and put in additional strategies to manage and monitor the offender to ensure that he remains compliant with his parole order and that his risk of reoffending is minimised."
May 27 will be the 21st anniversary of Senior Constable Umbers' murder.
He was bashed with his own baton when he stopped Lakich, a robbery suspect, and died beside his police car.
Snr Const Umbers' widow, Sue, declined to comment about the decision not to recall Lakich to prison.
Last month she told the Otago Daily Times Lakich was in charge of his own destiny.
"He can make the most of what's left of his life, or not. He has that option."
Lakich, who lives in Kaiapoi, was the subject of a television documentary last year.
He said that although he was ill and would eventually need a new heart, he refused to put himself on the transplant list because he "did not deserve it".
-Additional reporting NZPA
