The Authority oversaw a Police investigation into an allegation that a Police Officer in Greymouth drove at a dangerous speed while pursuing a car that failed to stop in the early hours of 3 July 2022.
At about 1.40am, the Officer pursued the vehicle between Greymouth and Hokitika. When trying to catch up with the speeding vehicle, the Officer reached a speed in excess of 200kph, without his emergency flashing lights activated. The Officer also breached the Police Fleeing Driver Policy by not initially advising the Police Communications Centre of the pursuit, and later failing to abandon the pursuit after being directed to do so.
Police conducted a criminal investigation under our oversight and charged the officer with dangerous driving. The officer pleaded guilty to the charge and was disqualified from driving for six months.
At the conclusion of the court case the Officer was subject to an employment investigation and received an employment sanction.
The Authority agrees with the Police investigations and outcomes.
IPCA: 22-14228