Police acknowledge the findings released today by the Independent Police Conduct Authority that the shooting of Christopher Brown in February 2017 was lawful and proportionate.

Christopher Brown was fatally shot by a Police officer in Mana, Porirua, around 12:30am on Sunday 26 February when he approached a police officer with a machete and failed to respond the officer’s commands to drop the weapon.

Believing Mr Brown posed immediate threat to himself and his colleague, the officer shot once at Mr Brown.

Mr Brown had earlier assaulted his ex-partner and damaged her house in Waikanae, before leaving the address in his vehicle, armed with a machete and slug gun.

A large Police search followed before a short pursuit located Mr Brown in Mana.

The IPCA has concluded that Police responded swiftly and appropriately to the developing situation, and the officer’s action in firing once at Mr Brown was lawful and proportionate in the circumstances.

As the Authority has noted, all reasonable assistance was provided to Mr Brown after he was shot, however he died on the way to hospital.

“The death of an individual is not the outcome that anyone wants,” says Wellington District Commander, Superintendent Sam Hoyle.

“No Police officer wants to have to use lethal force however police staff must act to keep themselves and communities safe and in this case the officer was faced with a violent individual who was armed and in an agitated state.

This was a tough and traumatic incident for everyone involved.

I commend my staff for acting professionally and appropriately throughout.”

ENDS

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