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Home / Investigation Reports & Media / 2023 Summaries of Police Investigations

Canterbury District: Investigation into off-duty assault allegation

14 February 2022

The Authority oversaw an investigation into an allegation the complainant was assaulted by an off-duty officer at a social function. The complainant alleged the officer struck them multiple times and held them down while the officer’s son delivered further strikes.

Police identified several witnesses who provided accounts of the incident which was also captured on CCTV cameras at the venue.

The investigation determined the officer intervened when the complainant and the officer’s son got into a physical altercation. The officer attempted to separate the two parties but ended up on the ground restraining the complainant with one arm while attempting to distance their son with the other. The officer’s son attempted to kick the complainant during this time before being pulled away by another guest.

The officer denied striking the complainant at any point and the CCTV footage supported this statement. Police determined the officer’s actions were justified to break up the fight.

The Authority agrees with the findings and outcome of the investigation.

IPCA: 22-15466

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