Police response to IPCA report into detention of a person

Please attribute to Superintendent Sam Hoyle, Wellington District Commander:

Police accepts the findings of the Independent Police Conduct Authority report into the detention of a person for a mental health assessment in Wellington in October 2016.

The IPCA has found the staff involved were justified in detaining the man, however the District Custody Unit is not the right place for a person suffering significant mental distress to be taken to and all options must be considered before doing so.

Mental health incidents are complex and our staff have to make quick decisions when responding to them.

We expect high standards of care from our staff during such events and following this incident these standards and expectations have been reinforced.

ENDS

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