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Grant Matthew / Stuff
Police were acquitted of using excessive force when a woman suffering from a mental health episode bit an officer, then received a blow to the head and pepper sprayed him.
Police did not use excessive force when a woman was hit in the head and pepper sprayed when officers tried to restrain her from what was believed to be a suicide attempt.
That’s according to a ruling by the Independent Police Conduct Authority, which launched an investigation following a complaint from the Bay of Plenty woman, named only as’ Ms. Z ‘.
In his written ruling, published Tuesday, IPCA President Judge Colin Doherty also noted that police were often “the first to respond to emergencies involving people suffering from mental health episodes.”
“They are required to help perform a health function that does not feel comfortable with their predominant law enforcement role,” he said.
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Police were notified on November 10, 2018 when Ms. Z’s partner called, concerned for her well-being.
“The first officer to arrive tried to persuade the woman, who had just come out of the shower, to get dressed so he could talk to her. When he locked himself in his room, he was worried that he might be trying to hurt himself again, so he entered the room, ”the report says.
“The woman tried to run out of the room, wrapped only in a towel.
“The woman bit the officer’s arm when he tried to prevent her from escaping and he hit her on the head to try to get her to bite. A fight ensued and the woman was pepper sprayed before being handcuffed.
“In the course of the fight, the woman’s towel fell off. Then two more officers arrived at the scene, including a woman, who wrapped the woman in a blanket and took her to the hospital. “
The report says the woman was “traumatized by the incident” and later made several complaints about the excessive use of force.
“The authority has not endorsed these complaints.”
The Western Bay of Plenty area commander, Inspector Clifford Paxton, said he supported the actions of the officers involved.
“As a policeman, we have a duty to take care to protect life and safety. Our officers were protecting this woman and ensuring her safety. “
Doherty also said that while officers were often called in to respond to mental health issues, “this occurs despite the fact that officers generally lack the skills and strategies to deal with people with mental disabilities in a way. that effectively reduces your mental anguish and alleviates the situation. “
