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Home / Outcomes / 2021 Summaries of Police Investigations

Police officer in Counties Manukau District justified in punching a woman

1 March 2021

The Authority oversaw a Police investigation into a complaint that a Police officer punched a woman when Police searched her home under the authority of search warrant.

The woman said that when Police forced entry into her house, the officer pushed her sister away from a door. She said that she tried to push the officer away from her sister and he punched her in the face.

Police undertook a criminal investigation which included a review of a video recording of the incident. The investigation found that when the officer moved the woman's sister away from the door, she charged at the officer and punched him in the head. The officer punched the woman once in the face and enabling her to be restrained with the help of other officers. The investigation found that the officer acted in self-defence and the force used was reasonable and justified in the circumstances.

The Authority agreed with the findings of the Police investigation.

IPCA: 19-0227

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