Six NZDF investigations complete at The Army Depot

In July this year, the New Zealand Defence Force released information about the removal of seven personnel from instructional duties at The Army Depot training establishment at Waiouru Military Camp, following allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

Subsequently, investigations started into two other individuals who were no longer working at The Army Depot and an officer was stood down while an investigation was conducted into an allegation of assault on a recruit.

Since then, six New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) investigations into the behaviour of instructors at The Army Depot have been completed.

A summary trial has found the officer not guilty of common assault.

Military Police investigations into five non-commissioned officers regarding alleged inappropriate relationships with recruits has cleared these individuals of any wrongdoing. The instructors cleared of wrongdoing have now resumed normal duties, within The Army Depot and at other units within the NZDF.

Investigations into the behaviour of the four other non-commissioned officers are ongoing.

In a statement to the New Zealand Army, Chief of Army Major General John Boswell said: “I am pleased that those instructors who were stood down can now, following robust investigation, move forward in their respective careers. I want to reiterate the importance of maintaining the highest levels of conduct at all times across our whole Army, particularly in those areas in which there is an imbalance of power between instructors and students because of rank and experience.

“Wherever we see behaviour that does not meet our expectations we will act, every time,” Major General Boswell said.