Police officer cleared over drunk man's fatal fall
Photo:
RNZ / Patrice Allen
The police watch dog has found an officer was not at fault when an intoxicated man he was escorting fell and was fatally injured.
Police had been called to the Auckland City Mission in Grafton on 4 November, 2024, where an intoxicated man had reportedly been acting aggressively.
"The man refused to leave despite the officer's requests, so the officer placed a hand on his shoulder to guide him along," a spokesperson for the Independent Police Conduct Authority said in a statement.
"The man fell, hitting his head on the tarmac surface of the ground. Unfortunately, he was seriously injured and later died in hospital."
During its investigation the IPCA reviewed security footage of the accident, which revealed the officer had not used force when placing his hand on the man's shoulder.
"The man resisted and pulled away, then lost his balance on the sloping driveway and fell to the ground. We also concluded that the officer's actions were reasonable in the circumstances," the spokesperson said.
Police accepted the findings.
"This was an incredibly unfortunate incident for everyone concerned, including our attending staff," Auckland City District Commander Sunny Patel said in a statement.
"Our sympathies remain with the man's family and friends during what was no doubt a very challenging time."
The IPCA confirmed it did not believe any criminal charges or employment considerations were necessary for the officer.
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