IPCA finds Whangārei officer unjustified in using sponge round launcher during arrest
An independent police watchdog found a Whangārei officer unjustifiably struck a man in the head with a sponge round launcher during a 2023 arrest.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority released findings into a January 2023 incident in Whangārei where a man was struck in the head with a 40mm sponge round launcher during an arrest. The IPCA concluded the officer was not justified in using this force. The incident occurred after a vehicle fled police and two men ran into mangroves on foot.
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Stuff
IPCA finds Whangārei officer used unjustified force during arrest
The incident occurred on January 10, 2023, after a vehicle fled police and two men ran into an area of mangroves on foot.
NZ Herald
IPCA finds Whangārei officer unjustified in hitting man in head with launcher
The IPCA did not accept the wound to the man's head could have been accidental.
1News
Whangārei officer's use of sponge round barrel during arrest unjustified – IPCA
The watchdog today released its findings into the 2023 incident, concluding an officer was not justified in striking a man in the head with a 40mm sponge round launcher during an arrest.