Police acknowledge the findings of the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA), in relation to the arrest of a youth in Porirua in October 2020.
The arrest took place on 4 October 2020, after an officer found the youth to be in breach of his bail conditions.
¡°Police conducted an internal review of the officer¡¯s actions that night and determined the arrest was lawful, and the use of force was justified and proportionate,¡± says Superintendent Corrie Parnell, Wellington District Commander.
¡°The internal review concluded that the officer had reasonable grounds to believe it was necessary to arrest the youth involved in this incident ¨C not only for the breach of bail, but because the youth was involved with a gang, was on bail for serious charges and was breaching an important bail condition, had already provided false details, and was running from police.¡±
¡°The internal review also concluded that the use of the police dog was necessary to prevent the youth escaping arrest.¡±
Police agree with the IPCA¡¯s finding that the officer spoke in an unprofessional manner to the youth involved in this incident and a witness.
¡°The officer¡¯s language and attitude during this incident fell well short of 51½ÖÉä values and what we expect of our people,¡± says Superintendent Parnell.
¡°This has been addressed by way of an employment investigation and sanction.¡±
ENDS
issued by Police Media Centre