It appears that Police escorting the Prime Minister to her visit to Waimate on Saturday were faced with the difficult situation of her flight from Timaru north being cancelled.
The officers involved were assisting to get the Prime Minister to her next engagement.
Police have to balance competing duties including security, urgency and the safety of road users.
They decided to provide this by way of a motorcade involving a lead vehicle (initially a marked patrol car and then a 4x4 marked vehicle) with lights and siren and an unmarked tail vehicle.
The motorcade was conducted at speeds which we are advised were in excess of the posted speed limits.
The full facts of the situation beyond this need to be clearly established. For this reason an investigation has been directed.
The investigation will be carried out by an Inspector from the adjoining District, Inspector Dave Cliff based in Dunedin. The matter will be reported to the Police Complaints Authority.