Media releases 2026

The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found that the force used by a Police officer involved in arresting a man in Whangārei was unjustified.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found that the multiple uses of force by Police arresting a man at Ōrere Point, Auckland, did not contribute to his death a short time later.

The IPCA has received complaints which concern the Commissioner of Police. These are being investigated by the IPCA and Police. We are actively overseeing the Police component of the investigation; this includes ensuring the integrity of the investigation is maintained.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found that Police were unjustified in issuing a Police Safety Order (PSO) against a woman in Counties Manukau who was protected by a Temporary Protection Order (TPO). The Authority also found Police failed to serve the TPO in a timely manner.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found that Police in Central District were unjustified and acted unlawfully in issuing a Police Safety Order (PSO) against a father and using it to remove his child from his care on 10 December 2024.

 The Authority received four complaints from parents and guardians about Police placing their children or young people in the care of others without their consent. As the complaints raised similar issues, we decided to investigate them together. We will not be publishing a full report but have prepared a detailed media statement setting out our findings and recommendations. We expected Police would benefit from clearer guidance when they come across unaccompanied children and young people in situations where specific legislation does not apply, and we have made recommendations to this effect.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found that failures by Police led to a pursuit in Rotorua on 31 October 2024. The pursuit ended in a crash where the 15-year-old fleeing driver died.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found that officers were not justified in following two stolen cars at speed in wet and dark conditions in Christchurch in 2023. The incident ended with the second car colliding with a train. The 15-year-old driver and sole occupant of the second car was not injured, but the train driver suffered a spinal injury.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found that Police were justified in using Tasers, a Police dog and head strikes to arrest a man who they believed had ready access to a firearm in Tiniroto, Hawke’s Bay. The man suffered a serious injury but survived.