Police accept today's Independent Police Conduct Authority report into a Police Dog handler's actions when arresting three men after a fleeing driver and stolen vehicle incident in West Auckland in August last year.
"We accept the report's findings, which highlights that we need to get our judgement right every time when using force, notwithstanding the hundreds of incidents our staff respond to every day," said Assistant Commissioner Allan Boreham.
"Following the Authority's findings, the officer involved will now be subject to employment actions reinforcing Police policy and the importance of good decision-making around the appropriate use of dogs and other tactical options. The report also identifies wider lessons for other handlers, which will feed into our ongoing dog team training."
Mr Boreham said Police patrol dog teams respond to more than 30,000 incidents and calls for service every year, the vast majority of which were resolved appropriately, with more than 2,500 offenders apprehended.
"It is important to remember that these situations are typically dynamic, unpredictable and fast-moving, and in many cases involve criminals or people acting suspiciously who are trying to actively evade Police. Our response staff are usually working with limited and variable information, in darkness and in challenging terrain.
"That said, we have a responsibility to ensure these incidents are resolved with a level of force that is proportionate and appropriate to the circumstances, whilst ensuring the safety of the public, our staff and those involved.
"While we strive to get our response right on every occasion, we acknowledge that in this case, we did not, and we apologise to the two men involved, and are following up with the staff member concerned," Mr Boreham said.
ENDS
Media contact: Ross Henderson, PNHQ Public Affairs, ph 04 470 7316 or 021 192 2919.