Watchdog clears Police Commissioner Richard Chambers following 'unsubstantiated' concerns of workplace conduct

The police watchdog has cleared Police Commissioner Richard Chambers in relation to "unsubstantiated" concerns raised about his conduct in the workplace.

RNZ revealed in June that an investigation was underway in relation to complaints about Chambers. It is understood the complaints related to alleged conduct towards women.

RNZ understands that one of the complainants was believed to be a former police staffer. It is understood the other complaint was from a woman Chambers dated more than two decades ago.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) launched separate investigations into the complaints.

On Tuesday, the IPCA said it had concluded its investigation into a complaint that was received in the form of an anonymous letter which raised "concerns about the commissioner's conduct in the workplace".

"In the course of our inquiries, we became aware of other concerns of a broadly similar nature about the commissioner, which we also investigated. The information came to us from different sources, including an anonymous email.

"We have not found any evidence to substantiate any of the concerns raised."

In a statement, Chambers acknowledged the IPCA's findings.

"I note those findings are conclusive and unequivocal. It has not come as a surprise to me that none of the alleged matters were substantiated - because they did not happen.

"This is now concluded and I will not be making any further comment."

The IPCA said the concerns were "raised by anonymous individuals or by people who were not themselves directly involved in the purported conduct".

"We prioritised proportionate lines of inquiry involving identifiable individuals and specific timeframes or locations. We also reviewed relevant official records.

"Where we were able to speak to individuals who we were advised had direct relevant knowledge, they informed us they either did not have any direct knowledge or the claims were false."

The IPCA said while they recognised there was a "strong level of public interest" in outlining the nature of the concerns, they also have an obligation to be "fair to all the parties involved".

"As the concerns are unsubstantiated and many appear to have been based on rumour and hearsay, we have decided to limit the detail we place in the public domain.

"We are satisfied that no further inquiries are necessary and we will not be providing any further information."

In September, the IPCA released a summary report, saying in December they received a complaint from a former partner of Chambers.

"The complainant and he had been in a long-term romantic relationship in the 1990s.

"The complaint related primarily to allegations of stalking and digital surveillance. It also included an allegation of sexual assault dating back to 1999."

The IPCA said the police investigation was assigned to "highly experienced detectives" from the Police National Integrity Unit (NIU).

"Our investigation into the alleged recent conduct included making several enquiries and reviewing records and other evidence gathered by the NIU on our behalf.

"This included examination of exhibits which the complainant believed provided evidence substantiating her concerns."

The IPCA found no evidence to support any of her concerns about stalking and digital surveillance and "found evidence that contradicted many of her claims".

"Whilst we accept that she genuinely believed what she told us, we conclude that there was no evidential foundation for any of these allegations."

The IPCA advised her of the outcome in July.

The investigation of the complainant's allegation of historic sexual assault was led by the NIU with active oversight by the authority.

"From the outset, the welfare of the complainant was a critical consideration for the authority and police.

"As far as was possible, the investigation followed standard Adult Sexual Assault investigation protocols."

The IPCA said when the complainant agreed to be interviewed by police, she formalised a criminal complaint.

"After the first police interview, the complainant made further allegations of historic sexual assaults and she was re-interviewed."

The IPCA monitored police's interview of the commissioner and independently interviewed him without police present.

"The commissioner co-operated fully throughout."

The IPCA said police had completed a "thorough and robust investigation and that all reasonable lines of enquiry have been followed up".

The IPCA agreed with the conclusion reached in the report that the evidential test for prosecution is not met.

"Whilst the authority considers that the police investigation impartially investigated the historic sexual offences, the outcome of the investigation into the allegations of stalking and digital surveillance raised unavoidable reliability issues that police had to consider as part of their assessment.

"It is the authority's view that, when all the evidence is considered in totality, police reached the only outcome reasonably available."

Following the IPCA's review, police sent their investigation report and documents from the police file to a Crown Solicitor for a further independent review.

The Crown Solicitor agreed with the conclusion that the evidential test for prosecution was not met, the IPCA said.

"We commend the professionalism of the police officers involved in this investigation and the steps taken to ensure its confidentiality and integrity.

"The authority will not be commenting further on the nature of the allegations or the reasons for its findings. We appreciate there is a strong public interest in reporting publicly on this investigation.

"However, we must balance the public interest in this investigation with the needs of all affected parties, especially those of the complainant."

The IPCA said they had also provided a confidential report to the Public Service Commission.

Chambers earlier said he welcomed the outcome of the investigation.

"While I have always strongly rejected the allegations made, it is important such allegations are investigated thoroughly and with due process. That has now been done.

"I am getting on with my job, supporting the frontline to keep our communities safe. Due to the significant privacy issues involved, I won't be making any further comments on this matter."