The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found that a Police officer who reached speeds of 112kph in a 50kph zone during a pursuit in Lower Hutt was justified in doing so in the circumstances.
On 14 June 2018, an officer was patrolling the Lower Hutt area when he witnessed a robbery outside a liquor store on Waiwhetu Road. As he approached in his Police car, two men ran away from the incident.
One of the men jumped into a parked Toyota which then sped off.
The officer pursued the vehicle onto Cambridge Terrace, a 50kph zone, where he briefly reached speeds of 112kph.
The driver of the Toyota travelled through an intersection at speed and when attempting to overtake a civilian vehicle turning into Awamutu Grove, collided with it.
The Toyota subsequently came to a stop. The officer arrested the occupants.
Authority Chair, Judge Colin Doherty said: "In the specific circumstances of this pursuit, the risks associated with travelling at high speed were mitigated by the officer's experience, his continual risk assessment, the road and traffic conditions and the limited time the officer maintained a speed of 112kph."
The Authority also found that the pursuit was properly commenced and conducted safely in accordance with the law and Police policy.