Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Police acknowledge ICPA findings

Police acknowledge ICPA findings


Police acknowledge today’s findings by the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) that a Whakatane officer did not deliberately use pepper spray on a 10-year-old girl and her mother who were passengers in a car stopped by Police.


At about 5.40pm on 11 September 2015, Police arrested a man who had initially failed to stop, on Paul Street, Whakatane.

When asked for his details, the driver repeatedly refused to provide them.
Believing the man was about to drive away, the officer put his arm through the open window to try to remove the keys from the vehicle.


The driver then closed the window enough to trap the officer’s arm before another officer came to assist.

Police acknowledge the IPCA’s finding that force was then used by both the man and the officers before the pepper spray was deployed at the driver in the vehicle.

Unfortunately, a 10-year-old girl sitting behind the front passenger seat accidentally caught some of the spray and was badly affected.
However, she suffered no permanent effects.


The IPCA report concludes that the officer did not deliberately spray either the girl or her mother, who was sitting in front of her.

“Police apologised at the time of this incident in 2015 and we repeat that apology again today for the unnecessary distress and pain this caused her,” says Whakatane Area Commander Inspector Kevin Taylor.

“She also had to witness an incident that could have been completely avoided if the driver had complied with his legal requirement to provide his details.

“As the Authority has noted in its report, this was a dynamic situation.

“What should have been a routine traffic stop quickly degenerated into a volatile scenario.

“In situations like these, events unfold rapidly and decisions need to be made quickly.

“Our officers responded to the situation confronting them in order to both protect themselves and keep the community safe.”

ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.