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Mana Whanonga Pirihimana Motuhake

Home / Outcomes / 2019-20-summaries-of-police-investigations

Force unjustified on youth who had surrendered

15 December 2020

The Authority oversaw a Police investigation into a notification where it was alleged that an officer used excessive force on a 17-year-old boy. The youth was a passenger in a stolen car and ran away after it crashed in Auckland city. Realising they were unlikely to escape, the youth and his associate stopped, put their hands in the air and lay on the ground as directed. An officer who had been chasing the boys launched himself on top of one of the boys and landed heavily on his back. The Police investigation found the force used was not reasonable and amounted to an excessive use of force. The Authority agrees with the Police conclusion and the outcome of both the criminal and employment investigations.

IPCA: 18-2262

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