Tom Phillips and his young children remain elusive despite police searching for them for nearly three years. Video / Mike Scott / Corey Fleming / Jaime Lyth
Police have condemned the publication of details from the standoff between police and Tom Phillips during the shootout, taken from Police radio communications
Details of the standoff, including the moment an officer was shot, were published by Stuff after it obtained recordings of police audio. Acting Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogerssaid the material should never have been made public and described its release as “grossly irresponsible.”
She said the publication risked compromising active inquiries into the Waikato incident and had caused “significant distress” to the officers involved and their families.
“The use by a media outlet of material based on police radio communications is grossly irresponsible and puts at risk inquiries underway into the events that unfolded in Western Waikato on Monday night.
“This material was not released by the police, nor did the media outlet in question approach us for comment.”
She said the extensive and detailed use of information by the media outlet has also caused significant distress to the staff involved that night and their families.
“I ask all media to please act responsibly and respect the sensitivities of this matter.”
