7 February 2011 - The Police pursuit of a driver who killed two other motorists in Christchurch was justified and was conducted according to law and policy.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority has released the report of its investigation into the pursuit on 26 August 2010 that resulted in the deaths of Norman Fitt and Deidre Jordan.
The pursued driver, Phillip Bruce Ray Bannan, was over the legal blood alcohol limit, was speeding, drove through a red light, and was in an unwarranted and unregistered vehicle. He collided with the vehicle driven by Mr Fitt, in which Mrs Jordan was a passenger.
Bannan subsequently pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to nine years imprisonment.
The Authority has found that the two Police officers who pursued Bannan had a duty to seek to apprehend him, and were justified in commencing the pursuit. None of their actions was contrary to law.
The Authority makes no recommendations.