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The Independent Police Conduct Authority says police should have acted earlier to alert search and rescue teams after two men fleeing officers got lost in the forest and later died in Tongariro National Park.
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Today’s discovery follows an extensive search in the park of Vincent Taurima and Hakopa Ngaronoa. Source: 1 NEWS
On August 12, 2017, Matiu Ngaronoa, 26, and Vincent Taurima, 21, participated in a brief police chase on State Highway 1, south of Desert Road.
In the late afternoon, the police found his car abandoned and followed his steps towards the bush, but did not find anyone.
During the night, the men contacted Taurima’s father and ex-partner, who tried to guide them back to the road, however, Taurima and his father decided not to contact the police for help.
The next morning, Taurima’s parents decided to contact the police, saying that the men were lost and very cold. The men also made three 111 calls that morning.
Police and Land Search and Rescue volunteers tried to trace where the phone calls were coming from, and even heard nearby voices, but could not find the men.
Search teams continued climbing difficult terrain, thick brush, and low temperatures for a further 13 days without success.
Their bodies were found almost a month after they entered the bush, on September 9, 2017.
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Vincent Taurima and Hakopo Ngaronoa have been missing since Saturday after entering the bush after fleeing the car. Source: 1 NEWS
Members of both whānau complained to the police conduct authority about how the search operation was carried out, raising concerns that the Maori ethnicity of the men and the gang connections of one of them meant that the Police exaggerated the risks and did not put all their effort and resources into the search.
However, in its ruling today, the authority said it did not find any evidence to support the concerns.
Instead, he noted “some oversights and missed opportunities” during the early stages of the police response, including that the search and rescue officer on duty should have been consulted the night they entered the forest. It was planned, but it was not done.
Also, after emergency services were called, the authority said search teams should have been notified immediately rather than about three hours later.
However, the authority said it could not say whether the result of the search operation would have changed.
“This incident had a tragic outcome and it is understandable that the Whānau want to be sure that the police made good decisions and that everything possible was done to find their children,” said Conduct Authority Chairman Judge Colin Doherty .
“I am satisfied that, once the search started, this was the case.
“Some aspects of the overall operation could have been handled better, even once the men’s bodies were found and returned to whānau.”
In a statement this morning, Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Andy McGregor said police acted appropriately in the difficult conditions, however, he also acknowledged that there were some areas for improvement.
“Our thoughts remain with the whānau of the deceased.”
After Operation Mangatawai, the police have implemented several measures, including updating the operating procedures for search and rescue work to include specific questions regarding a missing person.
Police also acknowledged that the formal identification process for the two men was delayed and apologized for any distress caused to the family.
