Upgraded Orions called in to help, but police and defence HQs refuse to give details.

5:30 AM Thursday Jan 17, 2013

 

Orion aircraft are being kitted out with infrared sensors, special radar equipment and high-definition cameras. Photo / APN

 

Orion aircraft are being kitted out with infrared sensors, special radar equipment and high-definition cameras. Photo / APN

Air force planes kitted out with high-tech military equipment are being used to help investigate crimes.

The air force's six P3-K2 Orion aircraft are going through a $373 million upgrade, with three already operating with upgraded systems.

They include infrared sensors, radar which is capable of tracking distant "targets" on the ground and a camera kit which can pick out faces from kilometres away.

A Royal New Zealand Air Force publication revealed one of the aircraft had been kitted out with full motion video gear to assist with the Rugby World Cup - although it was never used.

The Herald sought further details of how the plane was used in domestic policing operations. The air force refused to supply details, saying it could hamper efforts to detect, investigate and prevent offences. Details could also affect the ability of people facing charges to receive a fair trial.

Defence chief Lieutenant General Rhys Jones said the requesting agencies were responsible for ensuring surveillance warrants were obtained and that it was within the law. He said the NZ Defence Force was not covered by the legal definition of "law enforcement agency" under laws which controlled powers of search and surveillance but was "mindful of the need for compliance" with the law when helping others.