Police acknowledge IPCA report into fatal fleeing driver crash

Police acknowledge the findings of the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) following their investigation into the fatal fleeing driver crash in Palmerston North in May of last year.

This was a tragic event with an outcome no-one wanted.

Police continues to offer their sympathies to the families of those killed and injured in the crash.

“The decision whether or not to pursue a fleeing driver is one of the most serious decisions our staff face on the frontline,” said Acting Central District Commander Inspector Chris de Wattignar.

“Police come to work to keep people safe. It is devastating when someone dies because they chose not to stop.”

The officer involved in the fleeing driver incident has been given further training and guidance to support better decision making around future TENR (Threat-Exposure-Necessity-Response) risk assessments.

Following the joint review by the IPCA and Police into Police’s management of fleeing drivers, a piece of work has been commissioned to research motivations of the most vulnerable groups in our communities; young people, people with mental health needs, and those impaired by drugs or alcohol.

If we can understand what motivates them to flee, we can work with our partner agencies to try to prevent the behaviour in the first place.

“I want to reach out to all drivers who think that fleeing from police is an option and say – don’t do it.

It is not worth the risk to you, your family, or our communities,” said Inspector de Wattignar.

ENDS

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