Police shooting under scrutiny

Three investigations are under way after a man was shot dead by police when he allegedly threatened officers with a machete.

The 29-year-old was shot yesterday morning on a section of State Highway 1 near Pohuehue after hitting speeds of up to 150km/h trying to escape police. A 27km section of SH1 near Puhoi was closed for 12 hours as police gathered evidence.

Waitemata District Commander Superintendent Tusha Penny said a criminal investigation would be carried out alongside one to examine policy and practice within the police. The Independent Police Conduct Authority would conduct its own investigation.

The shooting was a “rare but significant” event, Penny said.

“It was fast-moving. Every day police staff deal with situations that are complex, dynamic and fast changing. Our staff have to make splitsecond decisions, in situations where there is risk to their lives and to members of the public.”

Penny said the shooting was related to an earlier police callout at an Onehunga property. A woman reported a family member had been acting erratically. She left the house because she feared for her safety.

Police were sent there about 3.10am, but found no people or vehicles when they arrived.

About 20 minutes later, a rural police officer heading home saw a car stopped with hazard lights flashing on SH1 near Topuni, north of Wellsford, police said.

The car quickly drove off, but the officer followed until it stopped. As the officer went to exit his vehicle, the driver of the car came to the driver’s door of the police car, wielding a machete and threatening the officer, police said.

The officer moved away, called for back-up and watched from a distance.

The man got into his car and headed south on SH1 towards Puhoi at speeds of up to 150km/h, at times with no lights on, police said.

The Eagle helicopter followed from above while police placed spikes on the road, which stopped the vehicle near Mahurangi West Rd about 3.50am.

As the first officers got out of the police car, the man approached with the machete, police said. Police then shot him. Multiple shots were fired, but Penny could not confirm how many officers had fired.

Penny said officers began first aid and called an ambulance, but the man died at the scene.

The man was the 11th person fatally shot by police in the past six years.

Independent Police Conduct Authority chairman Judge Sir David Carruthers last year raised concerns about a spate of police shootings in 2016 and said the organisation would look for any patterns. The report is expected to be released this year.

Last month the Police Association said a 2017 survey found one in eight police officers reported being threatened with a firearm at least once in the last year, a 38 per cent increase on the 2015 survey results.

The man was from east Auckland. Police were last night trying to contact next of kin before releasing his name.

Penny said police believe the man may have been suffering from mental health issues. The death has been referred to the coroner.

The officers involved had been spoken to but hadn’t been stood down, she said.

Police would also make inquiries into what happened at the Onehunga property.