A police officer in New Zealand has been held on restricted duties after racially abusing a Korean security guard.
Stuff reports that police constable Jason Te Huia and an associate visited Queenstown’s Sky City Casino at 1.45am on 3 September 2016 when the incident occurred.
After being denied entry because the security guard believed the pair were too drunk, Te Huia then launched into a racist tirade at the Korean guard.
“I can smell you. It smells Asian like a dog,” he yelled at the security guard. “You have shoestring eyes. I see you have no shoe strings in your shoes. Where are your shoe strings? Shoe lace eyes. Slant eyes.”
When asked to explain his behaviour, Te Huia admitted he was “pretty drunk” and could only partially remember the night’s events.
Judge Alistair Garland said in her ruling, “He said he was both ashamed and remorseful for his actions. He has not previously appeared before a court.”
Te Huia, who pleaded guilty to a charge of intending to insult a person in a public place, was discharged without conviction in May.
An internal employment investigation into Te Huia’s actions is currently underway, according to Southern District Commander Superintendent Paul Basham.
The police constable is on restricted duties during this time.
“We hold our staff to a high standard and expect them to model our police values through all parts of their personal and professional lives,” Basham said.
“We hold our staff to account for their behaviour. The employment investigation process is ongoing and I expect this will be finalised in the next month.”
