A Tauranga police officer who repeatedly punched a man during an arrest in Gate Pa has been justified of his actions, however, police later failed to fulfil their duty of care by not seeking medical attention for him, an authority has ruled.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority yesterday released its ruling on the incident, involving allegations police used excessive force against the man, known as Mr X in the report.
The authority found police were not at fault. However, police failed to fulfil their duty of care once Mr X was in custody by not seeking medical attention for Mr X, and not conducting a formal risk assessment as soon as possible.
The report stated Mr X told the authority that while he was being transported to the police station following his arrest a police officer, known as Officer B, kneed him in the stomach and punched him repeatedly in the face until he lost consciousness.
On September 4, 2014, police were called to an address in Gate Pa and found four men fighting when they arrived.