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

Bay of Plenty District Police Officer investigated for excess use of force   

1 November 2023

The Authority oversaw a Police investigation alleging that while a detainee was handcuffed and being walked by officers to a vehicle, another officer approached the detainee, placed an arm around their shoulders, and yelled something similar to “you do not disrespect me”.  

The criminal investigation found that in relation to a charge of assault the evidential test was met, but the public interest test was not met. 

The subsequent employment process found the officer’s actions amounted to a breach of the Police Code of Conduct and Use of Force policy. The employment process also found there had been a breach of policy in failing to report an alleged incident of attempted self-harm by the detainee while in custody. 

The Authority agrees with these findings. 

IPCA: 23-16450

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