Police saying little about shooting
AUCKLAND: Police are staying mum on details of an east Auckland man who was shot dead by police on Saturday.
A police spokeswoman told NZME no further details on the fatal shooting of a 29yearold who threatened officers with a machete near Pohuehue would be released, and it was uncertain when he would be named.
When questioned about police firearms training, the spokeswoman said all police officers who accessed and used firearms were trained and certified to do so.
Training involved — but was not limited to — live firing, marksmanship, simulator training, and tactical awareness, she said.
Police use of firearms is governed by the Crimes Act 1961 and official police instructions.
Whenever an officer receives formal firearms training they must demonstrate their understanding of the circumstances in which firearms may be used.
The Act states where force is used in executing a process or in an arrest, preventing escape, and selfdefence or defence of another, in all situations, the officer must fear death or grievous bodily harm to themselves or others.
An arrest must also not be able to be executed, escape cannot be prevented, or defence cannot be provided in a less violent manner.
The spokeswoman said every police shooting triggered a notification to the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) and typically led to three investigations: a criminal investigation, an IPCA investigation, and an internal review of practice, policy, and procedure.
‘‘Police continuously reviews its firearms training to reflect possible risks identified through experience in New Zealand and overseas,’’ she said.
Police confirmed three investigations had been launched into Saturday’s incident.
The highway shooting occurred after an earlier police callout at an Onehunga property about 3.10am on Saturday.
A woman called police to report a family member had been acting erratically. She left the house because she feared for her safety.
By the time police arrived no people or vehicles were there, but about 20 minutes later a rural police officer saw a car pulled over with its hazard lights flashing on State Highway 1 near Topuni.
The car quickly drove off, but the police officer followed until the car stopped again.
As the officer was about to get out of his vehicle, the driver of the car got out and came around to the driver’s door of the police car, wielding a machete and threatening the officer.
The officer moved away, called for backup and watched the offender from a safe distance.
The machetewielding man got back into his car and headed south on State Highway 1 towards Puhoi at speeds of up to 150kmh, at times with no lights on.
The Eagle helicopter followed while police placed spikes on the road.
The spikes successfully stopped the vehicle near Mahurangi West Rd about 3.50am. But as the first officers got out of the police car, the man, still armed with a machete, approached them again.
Police shot him as he came towards them.
About five police cars and several officers were at the scene when the man was shot.
Waitemata District Commander Superintendent Tusha Penny said multiple shots were fired, but she could not confirm how many officers had pulled the trigger.
She could not confirm where on his body the man was shot or from what distance.
Penny said officers immediately started first aid and called an ambulance, but the man died at the scene.
She was not able to confirm whether the dead man was known to police or whether he had been under the influence of drugs.
However, Supt Penny said police believed the man might have had mental health issues.
The death has been referred to the coroner.
‘‘This is a tragedy,’’ Supt Penny said.
‘‘No police officer throughout the country comes to work and wants this situation to unfold.’’
The officers involved had been spoken to but had not been stood down, she said. — NZME