Cops mull $20k Masterton claim

Police are considering a claim for $20,000 from a Masterton couple who had guns held to their heads in a bungled armed offenders raid last year.
Masterton man Steven Lochore said yesterday he and his partner Debra endure ongoing personal anguish as a result of the botched dawn raid by the armed offenders squad, who smashed their way into the couple's Masterton home while hunting for a previous tenant in September last year.
Mr Lochore, an invalids beneficiary who suffers depression and anxiety, said the armed raid has seriously aggravated his condition, causing him to lose weight and depriving him of sleep over the past few months.
His partner had witnessed her brother shooting himself in the head as a child and the incident last year had stirred those memories and left her deeply traumatised.
"I break down in tears about what happened that morning and Debra has trouble sleeping," Mr Lochore said.
"Police cars make me shake when they go past because I'm terrified they're going to come back and do it again."
Mr Lochore said he and his partner were seeking $20,000 compensation despite police paying out hundreds of dollars for damage caused in the raid and a senior Wellington police officer apologising "for any inconvenience or trauma".
Mr Lochore said both he and his partner were profoundly frustrated that the matter remained unresolved.
The couple last year engaged Masterton lawyer Ken Daniels to pursue compensation, have made a complaint to the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA), and have written of their treatment and compensation request to Police Minister Judith Collins and Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson.
Mr Daniels, who retired yesterday, said the couple had set their claim for compensation at $20,000, which Wellington acting district commander Inspector Richard Chambers was now considering.
Mr Lochore said he understood their request for compensation, given the circumstances, could be a first in New Zealand and that he had contacted police in Wellington yesterday about the progress of the claim.
He said he could hire a new lawyer with Mr Daniels retiring.
IPCA spokeswoman Kathryn Street said the authority had closed its file on the complaint, which the couple could still pursue if unsatisfied.
Mr Chambers said he could not comment on the matter while it was ongoing.