Police accept the findings of today's Independent Police Conduct Authority report into the arrest and prosecution of Troy Reuben in Timaru on 29 December 2011, and is investigating the serious issues it has raised.
Assistant Commissioner Allan Boreham said respective employment and criminal investigations into the conduct of all staff involved in the incident and in the subsequent prosecution were already underway.
"We accept the Authority's findings and apologise to Mr Reuben and his family for what occurred, particularly for the distress caused to his children during this incident.
"As is appropriate in such circumstances, independent investigations have been launched in response to the serious issues that have been raised," Mr Boreham said.
"Those inquiries have been underway for a number of weeks and were commenced at the time the issues were brought to the District Commander's attention.
"While we cannot pre-judge the outcome of that process, what I can say is that both investigations will be extremely thorough, with any relevant findings made publicly available as the legal and employment process allows."
ENDS
Media note: Assistant Commissioner Boreham is available for interviews on a limited basis this morning on request. Please contact Ross Henderson, PNHQ Public Affairs on 04 470 7316 or 021 192 2919 to arrange.