CANNABIS FOUND IN CAR OF CONSTABLE

A policewoman banned from the Christchurch Casino after a drunken fracas is
facing disciplinary action over a car crash where cannabis was found in her
car.

The officer, who was off-duty at the time, and a male friend were
travelling around the city together when the crash occurred.

Police arrived and found a foil of cannabis.

The policewoman's lawyer, Jonathan Eaton, has confirmed police are taking
no action over the drug, but the officer faces internal disciplinary action
relating to the crash.

Superintendent John Reilly, the Canterbury district commander, would not
comment on the incident, saying it was before the Police Tribunal.

The policewoman was breath-tested at the scene, then asked to accompany an
officer back to the police station for an evidential breath test.

She later indicated she would lay a complaint that she had been unlawfully
detained by the officer.

In January last year the policewoman, also off-duty, was served a trespass
notice barring her from the casino for two years, after a conflict with a
security manager.

The woman had left the casino after being refused alcohol because she was
intoxicated, but she returned three times within 90 minutes and was refused
entry each time.