Policeman's guilty plea

Imran Ali | 9th March 2010

A man involved with making sure Northland's police recruits are up to scratch has pleaded guilty to drink driving.

The Whangarei police officer applied for a discharge without conviction.

Senior Constable Ross Kneebone, 53, the region's recruitment officer, admitted the charge in the Whangarei District Court yesterday. 

A second charge of failing to remain stopped for an enforcement officer to complete his work was withdrawn after police were satisfied with his explanation.

Head of police prosecutions in Northland Senior Sergeant Janine Attwood-Graham  said Kneebone's explanation of why he didn't remain stopped had been accepted.

Kneebone was stopped at a checkpoint on Pipiwai Rd on September 30, 2009.

He was breath-tested and charged with drink-driving with an alcohol level of 733 micrograms per litre of breath.

The legal limit is 400mcg.

His lawyer Meg Scally  asked Judge Duncan Harvey  to accept Kneebone's guilty plea and adjourn the matter until tomorrow  when an application for discharge without conviction would he heard.

Judge Harvey said hearing of the application would depend on the availability of time.

Police oppose the application.

Northland police acting district commander Chris Scahill  yesterday  confirmed that Kneebone was still a member of New Zealand police but was on restricted duties while the matter was before the court.

He explained that the criminal justice process was totally independent from police employment investigations.

"The employment investigation does not commence until after the completion of the criminal prosecution process."

 Kneebone's attendance was excused when he was summonsed to appear in court on October 13, 2009.

As Northland's recruitment officer, Kneebone plays a key role in helping would-be police officers gain entry into the force.

Northland district commander Superintendent Mike Rusbatch  had earlier indicated that Kneebone's employment would be dealt with once the court action had been completed.

Police treated drink-driving very seriously and put a lot of resources into that area, Mr Rusbatch  said.

Police staff were not immune from the legislation. He assured the public that they could still have confidence in his officers.

Police regularly conduct blitzes targeting drink-drivers and have a specialised unit, the Traffic Alcohol Group, that takes a "booze bus" around Northland.