Updated 7.50pm: A Whangarei woman has laid a complaint against a Northland policeman who allegedly failed to act when her former partner breached a protection order.

Ulanda Cochrane claims when she told the policeman her ex boyfriend had turned up at her house, the officer let him stay there.

Northland police say an employment investigation will be carried out and the matter has been referred to the Independent Police Conduct Authority.

The man was later arrested and charged with breaching a protection order, assault against a female and threatening to kill and is awaiting an appearance at the Whangarei District court.

Harsher punishment campaigner Karen Edwards says Ulanda is lucky she didn't suffer the same fate as her daughter Ashlee who was killed by the father of her children despite having a protection order against him.

She says we should be able to trust that all police officers will take breaches seriously.

"Our lives are at risk and we have a right to feel protected and safe, so yes they should have definitely acted."

In response, Northland police say the complaint has been taken seriously.