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Mana Whanonga Pirihimana Motuhake

Home / Investigation Reports & Media / 2018-19 Summaries of Police Investigations

Police unlawfully arrest a woman in Wellington

8 October 2019

The Authority oversaw a Police investigation into a complaint that Police in Wellington unlawfully arrested and detained a woman for sending abusive texts. The investigation found there was insufficient evidence to have arrested the woman and therefore the arrest and her subsequent detention were unlawful. It also found the arresting officer had failed to inform the woman at the earliest opportunity that the charge would be withdrawn because evidence established she had not sent the texts. The actions of the two officers were dealt with through a confidential employment process. Police apologised to the woman and paid her compensation.

The Authority agreed with the outcome of the Police investigation.

IPCA: 18-0169

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