Cop accused of tipping off drug dealers suspended on pay while awaiting April trial

A police officer accused of tipping off suspected drug dealers about planned police search warrants has been scheduled for trial next year.

Whanganui Senior Constable Peter Elliot Gray, 61, remained suspended on pay for the duration of the court proceedings.

Gray appeared in the Whanganui District Court yesterday for a callover hearing.

A tentative trial date of April 27 was set, with proceedings expected to take three to four days.

The court also scheduled a further callover hearing for February 25.

Gray’s bail was continued.

According to court documents previously released to NZME, Gray is alleged to have unlawfully searched a restricted database and “alerted drug suppliers of planned police search warrants”.

As a result, he faced charges of using a computer system for dishonest purposes, and a representative charge of wilfully attempting to pervert the course of justice between July 1 and July 16, 2025.

A representative charge meant he allegedly repeated the act more than once.

Gray also faced charges that on August 28, 2025, he had in his possession a cannabis plant, two glass pipes used for smoking methamphetamine, and a pipe for consuming cannabis.

The charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice carries a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment.

Today, Superintendent Dion Bennett, Central District Commander, confirmed Gray remained suspended on pay.

In July, changes were made to an internal New Zealand Police policy, allowing staff to be suspended without pay in a greater range of circumstances, such as when serious breaches of the Code of Conduct are alleged, or criminal charges are laid.

Gray’s charges were filed in the District Court late last year by a Hastings police detective.

Bennett said the introduction of that policy did not automatically change the status of employees who were already suspended.

“Any decision to suspend an employee without pay must be considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the relevant circumstances and following an appropriate employment process, including consultation with the employee,” he said.

“Police does not comment further on individual employment matters.”

The matter has also been referred to the Independent Police Conduct Authority.

Tara Shaskey is an assistant editor and reporter for the Open Justice team. She joined NZME in 2022 and has worked as a journalist since 2014.