Home Contact Us

We are the only NZ Police oversight body

We are not part of the NZ Police

Under law we are fully independent

If you have a complaint about the NZ Police, you can come to us

Mana Whanonga Pirihimana Motuhake

Home / Investigation Reports & Media / 2026 Reports on Investigations

Unjustified use of force on woman who gave the ‘thumbs down’ to a Police officer

3 February 2026

The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found that a Police officer was unjustified in stopping a car, and using subsequent force, on a woman who gave him the ‘thumbs down’ gesture while driving past him in Auckland, on the morning of 22 December 2022.

Public Report (PDF 472 KB) Media Statement

MoST Content Management V3.0.9515