A former police staffer has been charged with obtaining by deception after falsely claiming nearly $30,000 in overtime payments for shifts he did not work.
- Riki Toby claimed $29,000 across 42 falsified timesheets.
- The fraud was detected after a timesheet breached a mandatory 9-hour break rule between shifts.
- Police have implemented new audits and supervisory oversight to prevent future police overtime fraud.
Riki Toby, 32, was employed as an Authorised Officer at the Kaitaia Police Station, where his primary duties involved processing and managing individuals in the watchhouse and cell areas.
Between August 3, 2024, and December 22, 2025, Toby submitted 42 timesheets for extra days he did not work. He achieved this by manually entering shifts into the “My Police” system, which were then approved by a custody Sergeant who was unaware the hours were fraudulent.
Toby stated the offending began following a break-up that placed him under “extra financial pressure.”
Detection and Investigation
The fraud was uncovered during the 2024-2025 New Year period when Toby submitted a timesheet for a shift he was not rostered to work. The submission also accrued statutory holiday hours and breached the “9-hour rule,” which requires a minimum break between shifts.
The Workforce Management Team queried the timesheet, triggering a comprehensive review of Toby’s recent claims. Investigators found no evidence that the claimed work had actually occurred, leading to a criminal investigation.
Toby resigned before police could initiate an employment process and is currently awaiting sentencing.
Police System Failures and Reforms
Senior professional conduct manager Inspector Anthony Tebbutt acknowledged that the review and approval process for Toby’s timesheets was “substandard.”
To mitigate future risks, police have appointed new supervisors and reduced their reliance on casual Authorised Officers. Additionally, the department has introduced mandatory audits of Authorised Officers’ timesheets.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) reviewed the case and stated it was satisfied with the thoroughness of the police investigation and the subsequent outcomes. Northland District Commander Superintendent Matt Srhoj described Toby’s behavior as “totally unacceptable.”
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