The Police internal inquiry into the 111 call made by Iraena Asher has been directed to establish what Police did in response to the call and why the decision was made to send a taxi.
The Manger of Northern Communications, Superintendent John Lyall and Superintendent Roger Carson, District Commander for North Shore/Waitakere/Rodney say this is an inquiry about judgement calls and not about Police resources.
Police reject any suggestion the call was not responded to due to staff being involved in road policing or the care and custody of remand prisoners. Two units were available for deployment at the time.
It would have taken a vehicle of any description more than thirty minutes to reach Piha by which stage Iraena Asher had left the address.
Police maintain there are times when taxis are sent in response to calls for transport help. Some people do call triple one when they break down or have been drinking and so a taxi is sent.
At Northern Communications 70 percent of calls do not fit the triple one category.
Superintendent Lyall says, "Staff at the centre are always told to err on the side of caution when making a judgment call and the inquiry being conducted will assess why the call was made to send a taxi."