The Authority oversaw a Police investigation into an incident involving the use of force by an officer in extracting a woman from a car following a pursuit in Auckland. In extracting the woman from the car, the officer used a baton strike that broke the woman's arm, before dragging her out of the car by her hair.
The Police investigation found the use of force was appropriate in the circumstances and was necessary to prevent the woman from driving off again and causing injury to the officer and his colleagues.
The Authority disagrees with the Police findings. The officer's actions in extracting the woman from the car in this manner were excessive. The car had come to a stop and was hemmed in by Police vehicles. The officer's actions to remove the woman from the car were unnecessary, and an excessive use of force.