The Authority oversaw a Police investigation into an allegation that officers used excessive force when arresting a man in South Auckland.
The officers were searching for a stolen car that had been involved in a number of criminal offences in the Auckland area. When the officers located the car outside an address in Meremere, the driver attempted to flee, driving the car into a fence and then reversing into the side of a Police car.
In attempting to remove the driver from the car a struggle ensued and one of the officers sprayed him with pepper spray, but this had no effect. The driver continued to struggle so the officer discharged his Taser, stunning him several times. The officers were then able to subdue the man and remove him from the car and arrest him.
The investigation concluded that the officer’s use of force was reasonable in the circumstances.
The Authority agrees with this finding.