Judge: Police justified in firing back
Waikato police were justified in returning fire on a man who had unleashed shots at officers after a car chase.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority yesterday released its findings into the shooting involving three Waikato police officers and Rollie Heke, 36. The IPCA found two of the officers were justified in discharging firearms at Heke, who fired a semi-automatic rifle at them in Morrinsville on August 12 last year.
The Authority completed its investigation into the incident in July this year, but delayed the release of its public report until after the conclusion of court proceedings. In July, Heke pleaded guilty at the High Court at Hamilton to one representative charge of using a firearm against officers and will be sentenced next month.
IPCA chairman Judge Colin Doherty said: “It was reasonable for both officers to respond to the immediate and serious threat the man posed by firing their pistols at him.
“Less forceful tactical options [such as police dog, Taser, pepper spray or baton] were neither appropriate nor available in the circumstances.”