Request for Clarification – Police Verification of Warrant Authority

 

I am writing to seek clarification regarding Police involvement in the execution of a warrant alongside Rangitīkei District Council, where the issuing authority of that warrant is not identifiable on its face.

 

The warrant records a numeric identifier in place of a named issuing officer. As a result, I have been unable to determine who authorised the warrant, or to independently verify that it was issued by a person with lawful authority.

 

New Zealand Police were present and assisted in the execution of this warrant. Given the nature of Police involvement in entry and enforcement, I am seeking to understand what steps were taken to verify the validity of the warrant prior to assisting.

 

Specifically, I would appreciate clarification on:

– what process Police follow to verify the validity of warrants presented by other agencies;

– what information or documentation was relied upon in this instance;

– whether the identity and authority of the issuing officer were confirmed; and

– what safeguards exist where the issuing authority is not identifiable on the face of a warrant.

 

I have raised these concerns with the relevant agencies and have now referred the matter to the Ombudsman for independent review.

 

This request is made to better understand the processes relied upon to ensure that Police involvement in such circumstances is supported by clearly verifiable lawful authority.

 

For completeness, I have attached the complaint referred to the Ombudsman.

 

Michael

In LandsAirWater Counsel