The IPCA has released its findings following the arrests of two men in September 2022. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
Two police officers were found to have used excessive force while arresting two men in central Auckland.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) has released its findings following two arrests in September 2022.
Police were at a separate incident on Hobson Street, when a bystander started filming it on his phone.
One of the police officers pushed the man backwards and warned him not to interfere, but he continued filming.
The officer arrested him for obstruction, which prompted another bystander, the first man's cousin, to start filming on his own phone.
A second officer then arrested him in turn.
During the arrest, the first man's phone was smashed and the other's was temporarily lost.
The men were ultimately released without charge and later complained to the IPCA.
"We concluded that Officers A and B were not justified in pushing [the men] and that the arrest of the two men was unlawful," the IPCA said in a statement.
"In our view, the Police decision to not pursue charges... Was not only appropriate but necessary to avoid Police embarrassment and wasting judicial time and costs."
A police spokesperson acknowledged the IPCA's findings, and noted that police had carried out their own investigation which resulted in the first officer being charged with common assault.
However the charge was withdrawn when the complainant did not appear in court to give evidence.
"We also undertook an employment investigation, which resulted in both Officer A and Officer B receiving an internal sanction," acting superintendent Sunny Patel said.
"Officers can always learn from situations like this one, and we will continue to do so."
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
