People Against Prisons Aotearoa (PAPA) is appalled by the excessive use of force by police in arresting and restraining a 13-year old boy, who was riding a bike without a helmet.

In a video that has subsequently gone viral on social media, a police officer was filmed punching the child in the ribs, while another officer held the child down.

“This is yet another example of the New Zealand Police’s reckless disregard for the safety and well-being of the communities that it supposedly serves,” says PAPA spokesperson Emilie Rākete.

Rākete is disgusted but not surprised by this use of force against a child.

“The New Zealand Police has continued to demonstrate that it is not afraid to slam tackle, pepper spray, and use dogs against children.”

“This video shows yet another instance of police officers acting as nothing more than armed thugs.”

PAPA says the violence against the child is part of a broader trend of dangerous police behaviours. “There has been an increasing number of people being killed during police pursuits, as well as the high-profile murder of Jerrim Toms by police officers two months ago,” says Rākete.

“The blood of these people is on the hands of the New Zealand Police. The Police must be held accountable for its actions.”

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