The Authority oversaw a Police investigation into two separate complaints, that officers had used excessive force when arresting a group of youth who had fled from the scene of an alleged burglary in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
The group were disturbed late at night by an officer who saw them smash their way into a mall and take items from inside. The youths attempted to flee in a stolen vehicle but were initially blocked by the officer using his patrol vehicle. They managed to escape from the carpark, but Police spiked the tyres of their vehicle.
The youths continued to flee, driving erratically as the officers pursued them. At one point, the youths drove on the wrong side of the road and slowly collided with a patrol vehicle. The pursuit eventually came to an end in a nearby residential area, with the initial attending officer again blocking the vehicle with his own. Several officers then approached the stolen vehicle, arresting and dragging the youths from inside before handcuffing them on the ground.
Some of youths later alleged that the officers had kicked them in the head after they were handcuffed, and slammed their faces into the concrete.
The Police investigation found that there was insufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations, and that the force the officers did use was reasonable to arrest the resisting youths. Police also identified concerns that the pursuit had not been abandoned as per policy and resolved these by way of confidential employment processes.
The Authority is satisfied with the investigation undertaken by Police and agrees with the outcomes reached.
IPCA: 24-25115 and 24-25129