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Complaint of sexual assault and excessive force during an arrest in Counties Manukau not upheld

3 December 2024

The Authority oversaw a Police investigation into a complaint that an officer sexually assaulted a female while arresting her, and then used excess force while removing her from a house.

The complainant alleged that the officer pinned her against a wall and was grinding up against her while she was handcuffed. She said the officer deliberately tightened the handcuffs on her injured wrist and threw her around inside the house before dragging her outside, damaging the front door in the process. She also said she was not given the chance to speak to a lawyer.

Police obtained statements from a witness at the house and the officers involved.

Police found that there was insufficient evidence to uphold any of the complaints. The Authority agrees with this finding.

IPCA: 24-23936

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