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Mana Whanonga Pirihimana Motuhake

Home / Investigation Reports & Media / 2025-summaries-of-police-investigations

Complaint that officer used excessive force against a child not upheld

6 October 2025

The Authority oversaw a Police investigation into a complaint that a Youth Aid officer used force on a 10-year-old child.

During a spate of scooter thefts, the officer picked up a child known to Police who was riding a scooter not belonging to him and returned him to his home.

A family member complained that the officer shouted at the child, accusing him of stealing the scooter and, after arriving at the child’s home, aggressively grabbed him by his shoulder and lifted him out of the car, so that his feet were off the ground.

Police were unable to determine a definitive version of events due to conflicting accounts and the unavailability of some witnesses. This meant they were unable to proceed any further with their investigation.

The Authority agrees with this outcome.

IPCA: 24-24988

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