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Mana Whanonga Pirihimana Motuhake

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

Man wrongly arrested and held in custody

15 June 2021

The Authority oversaw a Police investigation into an incident where a man was wrongly arrested after being mistaken for another person.

Police did not oppose bail for the man, who was represented by counsel, and he was remanded in custody for 5 days before the error was recognised, at which point he was immediately released. The man did not at any stage question his arrest or raise any objection to being held in custody.

Police accepted that the staff who dealt with the man failed to follow correct procedures in checking his identity when he presented at a Police station. Police took action to address the shortcomings, including the issue of a formal apology to the man.

The Authority agrees with the conclusions of the Police investigation, and the subsequent actions taken to prevent recurrence.

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