POLICEMAN IN CANNABIS INQUIRY BACK ON DUTY

The police officer at the centre of an investigation into the
mishandling of a drug exhibit is back on duty, although not in his
home station.

Senior Constable Brian Holland, the sole officer at Waikari police
station in north Canterbury, was suspended from duties late last month
after a cannabis exhibit he was in charge of ended up being smoked at
a school camp.

Police hierarchy launched an immediate inquiry into how the drugs
ended up at the camp.

There was no suggestion Holland supplied the drugs to the
students.

Holland has since started work again but he is on duty at Rangiora
police station instead of Waikari Station where he was based for 23
years.

He will remain working in other stations while the investigation
continues into the mislaid cannabis.

When he was suspended Waikari locals were vocal in their support of
Holland, describing him as a "community-minded person" who involved
himself with the volunteer fire brigade, search and rescue and other
community groups.

No date has been given for the completion of the inquiry.