27 May 2025
The Authority oversaw a Police investigation into an incident where an Authorised Officer at the Counties Manukau Custody Unit used excess force against a detainee on 23 October 2023.
At about 1.40pm, two Authorised Officers were escorting a male detainee back to a cell after a medical assessment. CCTV captured the detainee being uncooperative and suddenly turn aggressively towards a male Authorised Officer. Believing he was about to be assaulted, the Authorised Officer lunged at the detainee and a scuffle ensued. During this, the Authorised Officer used a punch to the detainee's head. Within 20 seconds, other officers arrived, and the detainee was overpowered and subdued. He was not injured.
The detainee did not cooperate with the Police investigation. Police concluded that punching the detainee's head was not reasonable, necessary, or proportionate. The Authorised Officer had other more appropriate and less forceful options to deal with the situation.
Following the investigation Police completed an employment process.
The Authority agrees with this outcome.
IPCA: 23-20706