Mysterious interference on Dunedin police radios includes rap music

A mysterious interference on southern police radios is forcing Dunedin officers to listen to rap music with unflattering views of their organisation.

Otago coastal acting area commander Inspector Kelvin Lloyd said Dunedin police were aware of non-police members transmitting on police radio over the past few days.

The radios have picked up multiple versions of a song by 1990s Los Angeles rap group NWA.

It was heard on radios shortly before 3pm yesterday.

The song features lyrics critical of police conduct.

On Friday afternoon, radios picked up a separate version of the song by American rock band Rage Against the Machine.

It is understood it was also repeated several times over the weekend.

Lloyd said it appeared the interference was not through a police radio, but other electronic means.

"Any interference with a police radio constitutes a risk to public safety, and anyone caught doing this can face a penalty of criminal nuisance and up to one year imprisonment.''

Last August there were reports of someone broadcasting pig grunts and abuse over police radios in the lower North Island.