Canterbury District Police Comment On IPCA Report
New Zealand Police National News Release
3:25pm 18 December 2008
http://www.police.govt.nz/news/release.html?id=4601

Embargoed 4pm Thursday 18 December 2008

In May 2007 there was a tragic incident at Edgeware Road where two young women lost their lives and others were seriously injured.

Mr Lipine Sila has since been tried and convicted.

Canterbury District Commander Dave Cliff says that nothing can ever bring those two young women back or remove the life long consequences suffered by some of those injured. "My heart goes out to all those involved and their families."

"No doubt the release of the IPCA report will bring back all the emotions and memories for those involved, including police and emergency services staff who were involved in the aftermath of this incident," he says.

The Christchurch Police response to the party was criticised by some at the time and today the Independent Police Conduct Authority review of police actions has found the police response to the situation to be both timely and appropriate.

"For my staff involved and the Canterbury Police District, this independent report has validated the approach taken. The report has gone further to commend the conduct of two Sergeants."

Justice Goddard notes;

"Police could not have predicted Mr Sila's actions. There was no relationship between those actions and the timing of the police decision to close down the party."

"I am proud of both my staff's response and that their actions have passed in-depth scrutiny by the IPCA."

ENDS

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