A South Auckland cop's escaped conviction - despite pleading guilty to possessing cocaine

32-year-old Declan Winata Richardson, appeared at the North Shore District Court in February - after point-six grams of the Class A Drug was found in a search of his house a year prior.

The maximum penalty for the charge is six months' imprisonment or a thousand dollar fine.

The summary of facts released to our newsroom reveals Judge Anna Fitzgibbon noted his remorse, good character and voluntary resignation from the force in sentencing.

She's granted his discharge application, saying a conviction would carry consequences.