Officers responded in a timely manner as soon as they were aware that a fleeing driver had hit a pedestrian, the Independent Police Conduct Authority has found.
Three police cars passed a woman hit by a car, but continued to follow the fleeing driver. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
A woman was hit by a driver who was fleeing from the police on Victoria Street West in central Auckland one night last year.
Three police cars passed the injured woman shortly afterwards, but continued to follow the fleeing driver.
As members of the public came to her assistance, a fourth passing police car turned back to investigate further.
"As soon as the police were aware there was an injured person, they ensured the appropriate care was provided," the authority said in its report.
It accepted none of the officers in the first three vehicles saw the injured woman lying on the edge of the road.
The woman, who sustained serious injuries, including multiple fractures to her head, a broken elbow, and severe bruising, was hospitalised and later recovered.
A 41-year-old man was later charged with careless driving causing injury in relation to the incident.
The authority conducted interviews and reviewed all witness statements, documentation and CCTV footage provided by the police relating to the incident to consider whether the police response to the victim of the hit and run was appropriate.
Superintendent Karyn Malthus, Auckland city district commander, said fleeing driver incidents were fast-changing incidents.
"Our staff spoke with the injured woman and ensured an ambulance was on the way, which was deemed appropriate," he said.
