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Home / Investigation Reports & Media / 2021 Summaries of Police Investigations

Police find no excess use of force after a bystander films a street arrest

19 July 2021

The Authority oversaw a Police investigation into a complaint where it was alleged Police officers used excessive force when arresting a man on George Street, Dunedin, while attending an incident of disorder.

The man's arrest was recorded by a member of the public standing nearby, who later complained that the use of force was excessive, including what appeared to be a punch to the man's face.

The Police investigation included a digital enhancement of the footage which showed there was not a punch to the man's face.

Overall, Police found the arrest lawful and that the force used to restrain the man and lead him to the Police van was reasonable and not excessive.

The Authority agrees with the Police findings.

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