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Home / Investigation Reports & Media / 2017-18 Summaries of Police investigations overseen by the IPCA

Complaint of excessive force during arrest

13 December 2018

A female complained that Police in Timaru used excessive force when they arrested her for obstructing them in the course of their duty.

The Authority oversaw a Police investigation into the complaint.

As a result of her actions during and after the arrest the female was charged with four offences, including two charges of assault against two of the officers. She was subsequently convicted of all four offences. The presiding Judge found no evidence to substantiate her allegation that Police used excessive force.

The complaint was not upheld. A debrief was held with the officers so that any learnings could be identified and applied in future situations. The Authority's review of the Police investigation agreed with the findings.

IPCA: 16-1847

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