A shocking breach of trust has rocked New Zealand's law enforcement community as a former senior police technology director admitted to viewing child sexual abuse material while at work.
Barrie James Benington, who served as the director of technology and digital services for New Zealand Police, pleaded guilty in Wellington District Court to multiple charges related to accessing objectionable material from his workplace computer system.
Senior Position, Grave Misconduct
The 65-year-old former executive held one of the most trusted technology positions within the national police force, responsible for overseeing digital systems and security. His guilty plea confirms what authorities describe as a profound violation of both the law and public trust.
Court documents reveal that Benington accessed the illicit material on multiple occasions between March and August 2023, all while occupying his sensitive role within police headquarters.
Swift Police Response
New Zealand Police moved quickly to address the situation upon discovering the misconduct. A police spokesperson confirmed that Benington was immediately suspended when the allegations surfaced and subsequently resigned from his position in September 2023.
"We are deeply disappointed and concerned by the actions of this former employee," the spokesperson stated. "This behavior is completely unacceptable and does not reflect the values and standards we uphold within New Zealand Police."
Legal Consequences and Ongoing Case
Benington now faces serious legal repercussions for his actions. He has been remanded on bail pending sentencing, scheduled for August 2024. The court has imposed strict conditions, including surrendering his passport and prohibitions on internet-connected devices without monitoring software.
The case has prompted internal reviews within New Zealand Police regarding their digital monitoring protocols and employee oversight systems, particularly for staff in sensitive technology positions.
This conviction represents a significant fall from grace for a senior official who was entrusted with maintaining the integrity of police digital infrastructure, only to exploit that access for criminal purposes.
