Reports on independent investigations 2025

On 23 May 2024, Police responded to a reported rubbish fire on a vacant property in Westgate, Waitakere. Whilst at the scene, they arrested a man whom they mistakenly believed had started the fire. Our investigation concluded that this belief, although mistaken, was a reasonable one however the arrest itself was unlawful because the officers did not have good cause to suspect that he had lit the fire.

Public Summary Report (PDF 180 KB)

The IPCA has found that a custody officer used unjustified force upon a male prisoner in the Counties Manukau Custody Unit.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority investigated complaints concerning the actions of three Police officers, involved in the investigation and subsequent trial of defendants charged with the murder of Mr Palmiro MacDonald.

Public Report (PDF 15.1 MB) Media Statement

The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found that Police breached some aspects of Police policy during an incident that resulted in the deaths of two young people after a pursuit near Ōtaki.

Public Report (PDF 625 KB)  Media Statement

The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found that officers breached policy during a fleeing driver incident at Manukau that resulted in a fatal crash.

Public Report (PDF 562 KB)  Media Statement

The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found that a Police officer was unjustified in ramming a man with his patrol car and punching him seven times, after the man used a skateboard to smash the patrol car’s windscreen and window. Both the officer and the man were injured.

Public Report (PDF 408 KB)  Media Statement

The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found that two men in Auckland were wrongfully arrested and that officers used unjustified force against the two men.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found that officers in Gisborne failed in their duty of care regarding a woman who died while in Police cells.

Public Report (PDF 358 KB)  Media Statement

On Sunday, 13 June 2021, Mr Taranaki Fuimaono died after becoming unresponsive while in the Auckland Police Custody Unit. The Independent Police Conduct Authority conducted an independent investigation into the care Police provided while he was in custody, prior to his death.