14 May 2009

Police authority won't investigate Napier siege

4:12 pm on 14 May 2009

The Independent Police Conduct Authority says there is nothing to be served by investigating police actions during the armed siege in Napier last week.

Senior Constable Len Snee, 53, died and two officers and a civilian were wounded when Jan Molenaar opened fire on them during a routine drugs raid on his home.

Molenaar was found dead when a 50-hour siege ended on Saturday.

The authority says it was notified of the incident and was kept updated by police throughout.

IPCA chairperson Justice Lowell Goddard says while it does investigate incidents in which police actions caused or appeared to have caused death or serious bodily harm, this did not happen in Napier.

The Coroner has ruled that Molenaar, 51, was solely responsible for his death and that he had no injuries caused by police.

Three men wounded in the shooting are all improving in Hawke's Bay hospital.

Senior Constable Grant Diver, 50, is stable but improving.

Senior Constable Bruce Miller, 40, is critical but improving and remains in intensive care.

Leonard Holmwood, 44, who went to the aid of the three officers, is stable and out of intensive care.