OFFICER'S HANDLING TRIGGERS INTERNAL INQUIRY

An internal police investigation is underway into allegations that a
police officer charged with multiple rape and drugs offences was given
special treatment after his arrest.

Constable Tyler Stephens, 25, of Blockhouse Bay, is accused of a
series of sex attacks on two women between 1997 and May this year.

He is also charged with possession of Ecstasy, cannabis, a pipe and a
bong.

Stephens, who joined the police in 1997, was working at the Balmoral
police station at the time of his arrest in May, and before that was a
general duties officer based at Avondale.

He has been suspended from the police while the case is before the
court.

The Herald understands that the internal affairs section of police is
investigating several officers who dealt with Stephens immediately
after his arrest.

A police officer, who wanted to remain anonymous, said that instead of
being processed at the Auckland central police station, Stephens was
taken to Takapuna station.

Rather than being placed in the cells like other prisoners facing
serious charges, he was allowed to sit in the senior sergeant's office
unattended for about eight hours overnight, drink coffee and eat
McDonald's takeaways.

"When Auckland detectives arrived in the morning to take him to court,
he was found unguarded in the senior's office, drinking coffee," the
source said.

Inspector John Cryer of the Takapuna police internal affairs section
confirmed he was conducting an investigation into Stephens'
"management and handling while he was in our custody".

Stephens is charged with raping a woman, attempting to rape her, and
twice sexually violating her between 1997 and 1998.

He is charged with raping a second woman, sexually violating her three
times, injuring her with intent and twice assaulting her between
September last year and May this year.

Police opposed bail when Stephens appeared in the Auckland District
Court on June 7, but it was granted on the condition that he live at a
certain address, abide by a 9pm to 7am curfew, surrender his passport
and not associate with the complainants.

The Herald understands the Police Complaints Authority has been
notified of the matter and may conduct an investigation into Stephens'
conduct while on duty.

Stephens is the second police officer facing rape accusations this
year.

Mangakino officer Colin McLean, 36, has pleaded not guilty to two
counts of rape and three of assaulting three women in Mangakino,
Tokoroa and Taupo between 1994 and 1999.