The Authority oversaw a Police investigation into an incident where a dog handler apprehended a fleeing resident, who was mistakenly thought to be fleeing from a suspected stolen vehicle.
The incident began with officers signalling the vehicle to stop due to it displaying a suspicious number plate. The vehicle failed to stop and Police pursued it. The vehicle eventually came to a voluntary stop down a residential driveway, where the driver exited and met with a resident who was waiting nearby. Moments later, the dog handler approached the driveway. The dog handler identified themselves as an officer, telling the two people to stay where they were. The driver remained by the vehicle with their arms in the air, whereas the resident immediately ran to the end of the driveway and attempted to scale a fence. The dog handler released the Police dog, who bit the resident as they fled.
Shortly after, the attending officers ascertained that the resident was not connected to the stolen vehicle but an occupant of the address. The resident was transported to hospital to receive treatment for a single bite would to their calf. Police notified the Authority about the incident due to the injury sustained by the resident.
The Police investigation found that the dog handler genuinely suspected the resident to have exited the vehicle and of having committed criminal offending. Police were satisfied the deployment of a Police dog was justified in the circumstances.
The Authority is satisfied with the process undertaken by Police and agrees with the outcome reached.
IPCA: 24-23066