Police Superintendent Rakesh Naidoo will no longer exercise police powers or wear his police uniform as he prepares to leave the force and contest the upcoming election as a Labour Party candidate.
According to a report by the New Zealand Herald, Naidoo, who was recently confirmed as Labour's list candidate ranked 13th, is returning from pre-arranged leave before officially departing the police at the end of August. During this transition period, his responsibilities will be significantly limited.
Assistant Police Commissioner Tim Anderson said Naidoo would focus on handing over his current role to ensure continuity within the organisation.
His work during the transition will also include supporting a police project to strengthen cultural competency training across the organisation.
Anderson said Naidoo continued to be held in high regard within the police.
“He remains a respected and valued member of police,” Anderson said, the New Zealand Herald has quoted.
He confirmed that Naidoo would not participate in political campaigning while still employed by police.
“Until he takes leave, he will not be doing any active campaigning, and he will not be exercising any police powers, wearing police uniform or representing police at events and meetings with external stakeholders, including community members,” as quoted by the New Zealand Herald.
Naidoo's political ambitions have attracted scrutiny since his candidacy was announced in June. Police Commissioner Richard Chambers and Police Minister Mark Mitchell previously expressed disappointment that Naidoo had not disclosed his discussions with the Labour Party earlier, despite Labour leader Chris Hipkins stating talks had been underway for several months before the public announcement.
Police are also continuing a review into whether Naidoo shared sensitive police information while he was in discussions with Labour. The review is expected to examine meetings he attended, the information he accessed during the period, and whether any of it was disclosed to third parties, as reported by the New Zealand Herald.
Authorities have declined to comment on the status or findings of the review, despite questions about whether the investigation has concluded and whether Naidoo has been interviewed as part of the process.
Labour has maintained that Naidoo will not campaign for the party until he has formally left the police.
Naidoo has not publicly commented on the controversy. However, two race relations commissioners have defended him, with one stating that his integrity is beyond question and another criticising the response from senior police leadership and the Police Minister, as reported by the New Zealand Herald.
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