The handcuffing and detention of two Napier children aged 11 and 12 has been deemed unjustified by the police watchdogs.
An officer grabbing one of the children by her throat and pushing her head-first into a wall was also deemed excessive by the Independent Police Conduct Authority.
A senior youth officer was patrolling in her vehicle in Napier when she came across an 11-year-old child screaming, yelling and kicking over bins. The officer went over to talk to child, in which the circumstances made the officer feel unsafe.
Two more officers arrived as backup and with limited knowledge of the situation one of them made the decision to put the 11-year-old’s older brother in handcuffs as they believed they escalated the situation.
The 11-year-old saw their brother in cuffs causing a confrontation between them and the officer, after the older brother was released the 11-year-old spat in the officer’s face causing the officer to grab the child and forcefully push her head first into a wall.
“The Authority also found that the officer’s use of force towards Child Z to defend herself was excessive and therefore unjustified in the circumstances.
“There was no further imminent threat from Child Z after she spat, and the Officer could have used minimal force to redirect the child.
Police Eastern District Commander Superintendent Jeanette Park said an investigation was carried out and the matter was self-referred to the authority after police received a complaint.
“The three officers involved in this matter were all acting with good intentions to ensure the children were taken somewhere they would be kept safe.
“Our staff experience unpredictable, and sometimes appalling behaviour from people we encounter every day.
“We acknowledge that on this occasion, our communication with each other could have been better.”
