Police acknowledge IPCA findings

Police acknowledges the findings of an Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) report regarding the use of force against a Gisborne man in January 2018.
 
The man was arrested at a Gisborne address on 2 January 2018 after breaching a protection order.
 
While the man initially complied with officers, he became aggressive when one of the officers asked him to get into a police car to be transported to the station.  
 
Fearing he was about to be assaulted, the officer aimed a knee strike at the man’s thigh to protect himself.  Unfortunately the man bent down as the officer was doing this, and was struck in the face.
 
The IPCA found that a knee strike to the man’s thigh was a practical and proportionate response to the threat faced by the officer. 
 
Superintendent Tania Kura, Eastern District Commander, says that knee strikes such as those attempted by the officer are an approved technique, which are taught in both recruit and Police Integrated Tactical Training.
 
“I’m satisfied that the officer’s action was appropriate given the circumstances, and that the injury to the man – while unfortunate – was accidental,” says Superintendent Kura.
 
“The officer’s motivation was to pre-emptively protect himself from an assault, and the IPCA has noted that he used a minimal and reasonable level of force to do so.”
 
ENDS
 
Issued by Police Media Centre.