Police have been accused of treating their own better than they treat the public.
Two off-duty officers were among a group out hunting in January last year, driving slowly along a public road that ran through a local farmer's land.
One of the occupants had been shining a spotlight from the SUV into the farmer's paddock, and he called police.
Police later decided not to lay charges, but complaints were laid with the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) about how long it took for police to make a decision.
"The police investigation into the alleged offending on the farmer's land was unnecessarily protracted, and only served to support the growing belief that the matter was being covered up," IPCA judge Colin Doherty said.
"This case demonstrates the importance of identifying incidents that are likely to present a perception of bias, and proactively managing them. This involves taking extra care to investigate the matter thoroughly."
The IPCA says it received four separate complaints about the delays. It was determined the decision not to prosecute was reasonable and justifiable.
The authority also said the investigating officers should have conducted a more thorough scene examination.
"The officers did not follow standard investigative procedure or ensure that they properly understood the law on unlawful hunting," the report read.
"This increased the risk that the public would perceive that a conflict existed."
It also found that the two off-duty officers should have received formal warnings.
Newshub.
