Media releases 2023

The Independent Police Conduct Authority has received notification of the appointment of Associate High Court Judge Kenneth Johnston, as its next Chairperson. He succeeds Judge Colin Doherty whose five-year term ends shortly.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found that an officer used a dangerous technique to take Mr Tuhi to the ground during his arrest in Levin on 21 December 2021. Mr Tuhi, 67 years old, suffered serious injuries to his head and neck, and died the following day. 

The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found that a Police officer’s use of his dog was excessive, when arresting a woman in Christchurch on 13 February 2021. 

The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found that a Police officer was not justified in tasering a man detained in the Tauranga District Court cells three times in February 2019. The officer was charged with assault with a weapon for each Taser discharge and was acquitted by a jury in July 2022. 

The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found that Police failed to investigate a complaint from a man that he had been assaulted while a detainee in the Counties Manukau Custody Unit. When the man returned to the Custody Unit two months later, he assaulted a custody officer, who subsequently used excessive force while the man was being restrained.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found that officers should not have used a firearm and Tasers during a poorly planned and executed attempt to arrest a wanted man. 

The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found that Police were justified in using force to arrest a youth during a foot chase in Auckland in May 2022. During the arrest, the youth sustained injuries to his face and to two vertebrae in his lower spine. 

The Independent Police Conduct Authority’s inquiry into the Police operations during the protest at, and occupation of Parliament grounds in February - March 2022 is drawing to a close.