Police have admitted leaving behind a bag full of seized firearm parts at an Auckland property after forgetting to take them away.
The mistake was initially denied by police, until the gun dealer involved sent photos of the left-behind lower rifle receivers to the Independent Police Complaints Authority (IPCA), reports NZME.
The receivers are the metal sections that allow guns to fire. They have serial numbers and are rigorously monitored.
Kiwi Gun Blog contributor Mike Loder told NZME the police need to be held accountable for their mistake.
"We've seen a culture of casual dishonesty become established in the police responsible for managing the Arms Act. This needs to change."
Police executed a search warrant on a Howick home in December 2014 where a number of firearms were removed by police officers for lacking sufficient security. The guns and gun parts were to be taken to another storage location, when the bag of receivers was accidentally left behind at the back of the house.
Auckland City professional conduct manager Insp Steve Clark told NZME police were not initially aware of the mistake.
"It was only through further investigation that this information was brought to our attention... the parts left behind weren't capable of firing a projectile, they required a number of other parts to render them useable," Insp Clark said.
Police told NZME there was at no time any risk to the public, and that bag with the parts was only left for a short amount of time.
Newshub.
