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http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/8689407/Police-officer-accused-of-working-with-gang
ACCUSED: Police officer Peter Pakau
A sworn police officer who won an award when he graduated from police college is accused of making methamphetamine and collecting debt on behalf of gang members.
Peter Pakau, 36, was among a group of 10 people who appeared at the Waitakere District Court in Auckland yesterday charged in relation to a drug bust which came after a "lengthy investigation".
He was denied interim name suppression so as not to cast suspicion on other policemen.
The father-of-five is accused of supplying, conspiring to supply, possession of and manufacturing a class A controlled drug.
Other charges include conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, conspiring to defeat the course of justice and accessing a computer for dishonest purposes.
He faces a total of 27 charges.
Detective Inspector Bruce Scott said that eight of Pakau's co-offenders were Head Hunters gang members or gang associates.
Pakau's wife has been charged with receiving stolen property.
Pakau used a police car and accessed a police database in order to pass on information to Head Hunters gang members, Scott said.
"We can confirm that he was part of organising and assisting with giving information [to Head Hunters gang members] and collecting debt," Scott said.
The investigation, which started at the end of 2012, uncovered that Pakau was allegedly "taxing" criminals for the Head Hunters.
"That's where criminals take property, money, vehicles off other criminals for debt," said Scott.
Pakau graduated from The Royal New Zealand College in 2008 and was among four graduates awarded a section prize for making the "greatest contribution to the overall success of the team".
Pakau was then posted to the Henderson Police Station in West Auckland.
He has been there for six years and it is his colleagues and friends who investigated his alleged offending.
Scott said Pakau's colleagues were "absolutely gutted and bitterly disappointed that somebody could do this to them".
"We're very disappointed in what he's done," he said.
It is understood Pakau has been stood down.
Pakau was refused bail and was remanded in custody until next month.
ACCUSED: Police officer Peter Pakau
A sworn police officer who won an award when he graduated from police college is accused of making methamphetamine and collecting debt on behalf of gang members.
Peter Pakau, 36, was among a group of 10 people who appeared at the Waitakere District Court in Auckland yesterday charged in relation to a drug bust which came after a "lengthy investigation".
He was denied interim name suppression so as not to cast suspicion on other policemen.
The father-of-five is accused of supplying, conspiring to supply, possession of and manufacturing a class A controlled drug.
Other charges include conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, conspiring to defeat the course of justice and accessing a computer for dishonest purposes.
He faces a total of 27 charges.
Detective Inspector Bruce Scott said that eight of Pakau's co-offenders were Head Hunters gang members or gang associates.
Pakau's wife has been charged with receiving stolen property.
Pakau used a police car and accessed a police database in order to pass on information to Head Hunters gang members, Scott said.
"We can confirm that he was part of organising and assisting with giving information [to Head Hunters gang members] and collecting debt," Scott said.
The investigation, which started at the end of 2012, uncovered that Pakau was allegedly "taxing" criminals for the Head Hunters.
"That's where criminals take property, money, vehicles off other criminals for debt," said Scott.
Pakau graduated from The Royal New Zealand College in 2008 and was among four graduates awarded a section prize for making the "greatest contribution to the overall success of the team".
Pakau was then posted to the Henderson Police Station in West Auckland.
He has been there for six years and it is his colleagues and friends who investigated his alleged offending.
Scott said Pakau's colleagues were "absolutely gutted and bitterly disappointed that somebody could do this to them".
"We're very disappointed in what he's done," he said.
It is understood Pakau has been stood down.
Pakau was refused bail and was remanded in custody until next month.
