A senior Canterbury police officer has been dealt with after multiple complaints of offensive and unprofessional behaviour.

The matter was made public today by the Independent Police Conduct Authority.

“The authority oversaw a police process into an allegation of bullying and unprofessional behaviour by a supervisor in Canterbury district,” the watchdog said in a statement.

“Multiple team members complained that their supervisor made offensive jokes in the workplace, set an expectation that staff work through illness, singled staff out when discussing performance issues, and discussed the performance of individuals with the wider team.”

An IPCA spokesperson said police completed an employment process and “took action to remedy the situation and address the concerns raised”.

“The authority agrees that police have taken appropriate action to deal with the officer’s behaviour.”

Canterbury district commander Superintendent Tony Hill said the officer’s behaviour was “unacceptable” and “appropriate action” was taken in response to the allegations.

Canterbury's top cop Superintendant Tony Hill. Photo / NZME

“The behaviour of this officer does not reflect police’s values, which we expect all of our employees to embody in the workplace,” he said.

“We are pleased to have mechanisms in place that have enabled staff to speak up and have this matter appropriately addressed.

Hill could not say exactly what action was taken, nor could he identify the officer.

“Police has the same privacy obligations as any other employer, and as such are unable to provide further detail on the employment process that was undertaken,” he said.

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Anna Leask is a Christchurch-based reporter who covers national crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for 18 years with a particular focus on family and gender-based violence, child abuse, sexual violence, homicides, mental health and youth crime. She writes, hosts and produces the award-winning podcast A Moment In Crime, released monthly on nzherald.co.nz