Police accept IPCA findings on 2010 fleeing rider crash

Police accept the findings of an Independent Police Conduct Authority report into a fleeing driver incident in March 2010 and are already working to implement the recommendations.

The report relates to an incident where the rider of a motorcycle, Dion Batt, was severely injured when he crashed in the Auckland suburb of Massey after evading police at high speed for 25 minutes.

The IPCA found police were justified in attempting to stop Mr Batt, who had been seen riding his motorcycle at 100kmph in a 50kmph zone and was later found to have methamphetamine in his blood.

The Authority made seven recommendations relating to aspects of police policy and procedure.

Assistant Commissioner Upper North Allan Boreham says police accept there were shortcomings and are addressing these issues.

"We're amending the Fleeing Driver Policy that existed at that time and we're finalising the other required changes.

"Since this incident the Auckland region has upgraded to digital radio, which gives more channel coverage than was available in 2010, and the radios themselves are easier for staff to operate. We've also put hands-free kit in cars."

Mr Boreham says fleeing driver incidents are always extremely testing for police.

"They are fast-moving, unpredictable and high pressure situations that require quick judgements and the public expect us to get it right. We take that responsibility very seriously and are always looking for ways to manage these challenging situations better."

Mr Boreham says the small number of people who may consider fleeing from a police officer also need to play their part.

"As the IPCA notes, Mr Batt demonstrated by his actions that he was prepared to risk his life and the lives of others to avoid police.

"I'm asking anyone who would consider fleeing to make the right choice and comply if a police officer requests them to stop."

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On The 2013 Budget

Among Thursday’s main talking points:

We are apparently on track for a margin-of-error $75 million surplus, now in sight for 2014/15. But this sickly creature is hobbling out of the lab on the basis of all kinds of facilitative conjuring: such as trimming by $200 million the amount of new spending next time around.

With this strictly nominal surplus in sight, the 1984-ish justification for eternal austerity will have a news talisman: namely, getting Crown debt down to 20% of GDP by 2020. More>>

Budget Report, Lockup Audio & Images: Budget Day 2013 As always and especially after the managerial mishaps of the past few weeks and months, (e.g. Aaron Gilmore, the Mighty River Power share float, the GCSB mishaps) Budget Day 2013 was always going to be a pageant of reassurance... More>>

Budget 2013 Comment: Plain Sailing, But It's No America's Cup Pattrick Smellie: Compared to the last four budgets, this year's reflects an economy moving out of recession and into calmer waters... Yet if the fastest annual growth rate we can expect over the next two years is 3 percent - with the Christchurch rebuild in full swing - then you'd have to say New Zealand's underlying low-growth problem is far from fixed. More>>

Auckland Discord: Govt’s Power Hungry Housing Approach A Threat - Labour

Last week the Government said this, ‘The Government commits not to use any proposed or existing powers ... to override the council's planning and consenting processes’. But its housing Bill says this; ‘If an accord cannot be reached in an area of severe housing unaffordability, the Government can intervene by establishing special housing areas and issuing consents for developers’. More>>

ALSO:

• NZ Govt - Housing accords legislation passes first reading - Legislation For Housing Accords, Land Supply - Housing package improves affordability, access
• Greens - Budget numbers show National’s failure on home affordability
• Auckland Chamber of Commerce - Budget 2013: Housing intervention needed
• Out-Link - Gareth Morgan: Response to housing problem limp-wristed
• Earlier, Pre-Budget - Auckland Accord announced

Extending Protest Ban, Relaxing Permit Rules: Govt Abuses Urgency To Extend Anadarko Amendment

The Government is trying to pass legislation under urgency which would make the Anadarko Amendment – which limits protest at sea – apply to an additional 1.7 million square kilometres, the Green Party said today. More>>

ALSO:

• Parliament Today - Parliament Resumes To Pass Budget Bills
• Labour - Government to extend protest ban
• Greenpeace NZ - Oil Companies Lacking ‘Expertise’ and ‘Financial Ability’ Set to Be Handed Drilling Permits
• 2010 image via: Pacific.Scoop - Media watcher gives NZ press nil score card for China oil spill coverage