29 Nov 2018

Repeated use of taser 'excessive' - IPCA

1:44 pm on 29 November 2018

The Indepedent Police Conduct Authority has found the police were justified in using a taser and police dog to subdue a Waikato man.

Police generic

Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller

However, the authority found the repeated use of a taser on the man when he was trying to protect himself was excessive and unjustified.

In July 2017, the armed offenders squad was involved in subduing a drug-affected man during an arrest in Kāwhia.

Police surrounded the two houses and called on any occupants to come outside.

The man who lived in one of the houses eventually came outside but did not follow police instructions.

Police used two Armed Offender Squad Police dogs and a taser to arrest him, causing the man to be injured.

Three officers took part in the arrest, and the authority found the first two of them were justified in using their police dogs and tasers to subdue the man.

However the authority found the third officer's repeated use of his taser on the man to be excessive.

The authority recommended the police review and develop appropriate protocols and training for apprehending an offender.

The Waikato District Commander Superintendent Bruce Bird said police will work to ensure they learn from what happened.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs