A Southern District police officer who used MDMA and another who obtained the psychoactive drug while at an out-of-town concert have avoided criminal charges.
In July, the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) confirmed three female Southern District police officers were under investigation after allegedly using and/or possessing the party drug.
Police had reported the matter to the IPCA in April, but the authority referred it back to the police to investigate.
A summary of the case, published to the IPCA's website on November 3, says the authority oversaw two separate internal investigations into the allegations that a small group of Southern District police officers had used the recreational drug.
Police conducted "incident investigations" as there was no physical evidence upon which to base a criminal investigation or charge.
"In the first instance, police found that in isolation to each other, one officer had used, and one officer had obtained MDMA while at an out of town concert," the authority said in its summary on Wednesday.
In the second instance, which was based on an anonymous complaint to police, the officers denied any knowledge, possession or use of MDMA. No evidence of criminal activity was found.
Police took "appropriate actions" and "reinforced employment expectations" while providing welfare support to staff, the summary states.
"The authority agrees with the findings and the outcome."
Police wastewater testing data from the first three months of 2019 and 2020 showed the South island was overrepresented in regards to MDMA consumption.
The Southern Police District spans Southland, Otago Lakes Central, coastal Otago and Stewart Island, including Queenstown, Dunedin and Invercargill.
