The Authority oversaw a Police investigation into an allegation an officer unnecessarily tackled a 15-year-old man off a stolen scooter following a short pursuit in Hamilton on 26 August 2018.
The young man alleged that he came to a stop, raised his hands and surrendered before being tackled off the scooter and into nearby a brick pillar. The young man also said that the officer punched him in the side of the face as he was taken to the ground.
Police commenced criminal and employment investigations into the officer's conduct. A number of witnesses were interviewed. The criminal investigation concluded that that there was insufficient evidence to support a charge of assault. The employment investigation concluded that it was not possible to substantiate the young man's claim that he had been punched and determined that the officer's actions were appropriate given the risk he believed the young posed.
The Authority agrees with this outcome.
IPCA: 18-0543