Whangārei alleged police assault: Pepper spray used, 2 men face charges

Police arrived at premises in Bank St at 11.45pm on Thursday, where security asked them to remove several intoxicated people. Photo / NZME

A group of intoxicated people allegedly turned on police when they were asked to leave premises in Whangārei yesterday evening.

Whangārei area response manager Acting Senior Sergeant Charmaine Smith said police were called to a Bank St establishment just before midnight on Thursday.

When police arrived, the security staff on-site asked them to remove several intoxicated people from the premises, Smith said.

“After repeatedly asking the group to leave, they allegedly became aggressive towards police.”

They were pepper-sprayed before being taken into custody.

Smith said a 37-year-old man was charged with assaulting police and resisting police.

He was due to appear in Whangārei District Court on Monday.

“A 32-year-old man was charged with behaving threateningly and resisting police and will undertake an alternative resolution,” Smith said.

Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.