The Authority oversaw a Police investigation into a complaint that Police officers used unnecessary and excessive force during an arrest of a 16-year-old boy in March 2025 in Wellington.
The arrest followed a 30-minute pursuit of a stolen car, in which the 16-year-old boy was a passenger. Police used road spikes to stop the car, after which the boy got out and was tackled to the ground by an officer.
In his complaint, the boy said he got on the ground himself and was then hit (possibly with a baton), kicked, and hit in the head multiple times. He said he was not resisting. He sustained bruising and grazes to his head and ribs.
CCTV footage was available of the arrest, and while of poor quality, did show that an officer tackled the boy to the ground and that he did not get on the ground by himself. The Police investigation found that there was then a struggle on the ground, with the boy holding his hands underneath him, preventing officers from handcuffing him. One officer said he used his knee to apply pressure to the boy's side, and another said he struck the boy once on the side of his head, to try to get him to release his hands. Both officers said they were concerned he may have a weapon. The boy then released his hands and was handcuffed. The officers denied kicking the boy, using a baton or hitting him multiple times.
Police found that the force used by the officers was reasonable in response to his resistance and the complaint was therefore not upheld. Police did however identify some learning opportunities from the incident.
The Authority is satisfied with the Police investigation and agrees with their finding.
IPCA: 25-27904