Police accepts today’s Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) findings in relation to a fleeing driver who subsequently crashed.
The findings relate to the Police pursuit of Calum Meyer, 25, who fled from officers when signalled to stop in Whanganui on 7 May 2015. In attempting to stop Mr Meyer, Police engaged in three separate pursuits and deployed road spikes on two occasions. Following the abandonment of the third pursuit and the second deployment of road spikes, Mr Meyer collided with a parked truck and died at the scene.
The IPCA found that, while Police were justified in commencing a pursuit of the car driven by Mr Meyer after it failed to stop, and generally complied with law and current fleeing driver policy during the three stages of the pursuit, the second and third stages of the pursuit should not have commenced and posed an undue risk to officers and members of the public.
The first pursuit, which lasted only around 52 seconds, was abandoned after Mr Meyer hit a cyclist, who was fortunately not seriously injured. In relation to this pursuit, the IPCA found that Police complied with law and Police policy.
The second pursuit began shortly after, following what appeared to be an attempt by Mr Meyer to drive head-on into a police car. This pursuit lasted approximately one minute and 10 seconds and was abandoned after officers became concerned at the way Mr Meyer was swerving towards oncoming cars and driving on the wrong side of the road. The IPCA found that this pursuit complied with law and current Police policy, apart from the absence of a clear request for, and granting of, authorisation to recommence the pursuit.
The third pursuit was initiated by an officer concerned about the potential harm Mr Meyer posed to the public and the fact that Mr Meyer was approaching a built-up area. This pursuit was extremely short, lasting only around 20 seconds, before the officer abandoned the pursuit due to the speed and manner of Mr Meyer’s driving. In relation to this pursuit the IPCA found that Police generally complied with law and current policy, however the officer did not comply with policy in respect of abandonment, as he slowed down rather than pulling over and stopping.
Mr Meyer lost control of his car prior to running over the second deployment of road spikes, colliding with a truck that was parked on the side of the road. Mr Meyer died instantly.
“Police do not want to see anybody lose their lives in this way and we extend our sympathies to Mr Meyer’s family for their loss. However, as noted in the IPCA report, Mr Meyer demonstrated by his actions that day that he was prepared to risk his life and the lives of others to avoid being caught by Police,” says Assistant Commissioner: Districts Allan Boreham.
The IPCA report also noted that Mr Meyer had methamphetamine and cannabis in his system.
“We are very fortunate that nobody else was killed or seriously injured as a result of Mr Meyer’s extremely dangerous driving that day.”
In addition to its findings in relation to this pursuit, the IPCA has made a number of recommendations. These are being considered by Police.
ENDS
Media contact: Rachel Purdom, PNHQ - 021 908 101.