The Authority oversaw a Police investigation into an incident in Taranaki where a Police patrol vehicle driving at night hit a pedestrian, who was standing near the driver's door of a parked vehicle. Analysis of crash scene evidence, witness statements, and CCTV footage identify the pedestrian's actions as a contributing factor for the crash occurring. The roadway was such that the presence of a pedestrian in the area was unexpected, and conditions meant that the ability of the driver to see the pedestrian was hampered. Of note, the patrol vehicle was being driven under the posted speed limit prior to the crash. Due to these considerations, the investigation found there was insufficient evidence to charge the officer for a driving offence, and the officer had not breached Police driving policy. As a result of this investigation, Police have recommended changes to their professional driver training programme for new recruits to enhance hazard identification and the importance of communication between Police drivers and passengers.
The Authority is satisfied with how the Police conducted their investigation and the outcomes they reached.
IPCA: 20-3680