Wellington, June 22 NZPA - Police have been told to put more effort into implementing changes recommended by the 2007 Commission of Inquiry into Police Conduct and adopt a zero tolerance approach to any sexually inappropriate behaviour.

The commission's extensive report criticised the historical conduct, including sexual conduct, of some police officers and their associates.

It decided the force needed to make important cultural changes, and the Auditor-General's Office was told to monitor the way recommendations were implemented.

The first monitoring report found that the police had responded in a committed manner to the commission's findings, and had put in place a comprehensive work programme to begin to give effect to its recommendations.

The second monitoring report, tabled in Parliament today, says more effort is needed.

"The implementation of the police response is at a critical point," Deputy Auditor-General Phillippa Smith says.

"Without more concerted effort now there is a risk that progress will stall, the achievements of the police's change programme to date will dissipate, and the benefits of change will not be realised."

She says an "appropriate culture" is fundamental to achieving the necessary changes and the police need to reflect on that.

Ms Smith says the police have done a lot of work, including implementing a code of conduct, holding ethics training courses for nearly all staff, dealing with inappropriate email and internet use and significantly improving performance appraisal completion rates.

"But there is still much to do -- the commission's recommendations will not be implemented just because new systems and processes are in place," Ms Smith says.

"The new systems and processes will be able to achieve the required effect when the police have a critical mass of officers who understand and support the need for change.

"That cultural change, in my view, would have to include no tolerance of any sexually inappropriate behaviour by police officers."

Ms Smith has taken over the monitoring role because the recently appointed Auditor-General, Lyn Provost, was a deputy commissioner of police.

Police Minister Judith Collins said the second monitoring report found that police had fully implemented seven of the inquiry's 47 recommendations and made progress on the remaining 40.

"It is essential that police do not lessen their commitment to change," she said.

"I am confident that police can make the changes identified. It will continue to require continued strong leadership and clear expectations."

Police Commissioner Howard Broad said it was accepted that there was a need for constant commitment to ensure change became firmly established.

"We agree with the Auditor-General's office that implementation of enduring, effective change will require a sustained effort on the part of police over at least the next 10 years," he said.

"We are making good progress...but we acknowledge that we are at a critical point in terms of implementation."