By DANIEL JACKSON
A Northland coroner has cleared police of any blame after an elderly mentally ill man died when officers pepper-sprayed and restrained him.
But the man's family are not happy with the finding and may take the matter to the Solicitor-General.
The coroner, Heather Ayrton, said yesterday that the death of Dr Ian William Horsfield, aged 66, illustrated the difficulties police had dealing with the mentally ill.
Dr Horsfield, who was a paranoid schizophrenic, died of a heart attack after being sprayed by police during a struggle in a car park at Kerikeri on October 8 last year.
Mrs Ayrton did not make any recommendations in her decision but said: "I am satisfied that the actions of the police officers at all times during the incident were justified and that the degree of force used was reasonable in the circumstances.
"It appears to me that the police have appropriate guidelines and provide adequate training for dealing with the mentally disordered and for the use of OC [pepper] spray."
Lawyer Graeme Minchin, in his submission, had urged that the officers be charged with use of excessive force.
The family believe that Dr Horsfield did not deserve to be treated like a criminal and was let down by the mental health system.
Police cleared in restraint of man
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