• Police are investigating staff for exploiting the National Intelligence Application after Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming’s death. 
• Deputy Commissioner Tania Kura warned staff about unauthorised access to files on the Nelson incident. 
• A 32-year-old man is charged with murdering Fleming and attempting to murder Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay. 

Police are reportedly investigating unauthorised use of their intelligence database after staff were caught randomly accessing files on Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming’s alleged murder. 

The 62-year-old police officer died after she and fellow officer Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay were struck by a vehicle in central Nelson early on New Year’s Day. 

Deputy Commissioner frontline operations Tania Kura sent a message to staff on Tuesday entitled “consequences for misusing NIA”, Stuff said. 

The NIA, which stands for National Intelligence Application, is the database for sensitive information about incidents and offending as well as information about the public. 

Stuff reported the memo said it was “abundantly clear” some staff were exploiting the NIA system. 

“Alarmingly, and disrespectfully, we have found people randomly checking the files on the devastating incident in Nelson.” 

Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming. Photo / NZ Police 

Directors and district commanders had received a list of staff whose use of the system would be reviewed before meetings with the individuals to discuss their rationale for accessing NIA. 

“There will undoubtedly be legitimate users, so I want to acknowledge those people and thank you in advance for attending the meetings.” 

Final sanctions would be decided after the district commanders and directors undertake a series of steps they had been authorised to follow. 

“While no names have been shared, we have informed the following groups of the process being taken - Police Professional Conduct, Employee Relations, the Independent Police Conduct Authority, the Police Association, and the Police Guild.” 

Kura said the misuse came to light after an audit covering the first two weeks of January. 

“Police identified a number of individuals who checked content that had no connection to their duties. 

“A process is now under way to determine the rationale for and legitimacy of each of those checks. 

“Unauthorised use of NIA will not be tolerated and final decisions on any sanctions for staff will be decided by a dedicated team.” 

Fleming is the first policewoman to be killed in the line of duty in New Zealand. She was also the first police officer to be killed while on duty in Nelson. 

A 32-year-old man has been charged with murdering Fleming and attempting to murder Ramsay. 

He is also facing two charges of assault using a vehicle as a weapon, two charges of wounding with intent, dangerous driving, and driving while disqualified. 

At his first appearance in the Nelson District Court on January 3 the accused was granted interim name suppression. 

The order has since been extended until at least his next appearance in the High Court at Nelson on February 14. 

Rachel Maher is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. She has worked for the Herald since 2022.