Police chase deemed to be 'justified'

The chase lasted 24 minutes and was abandoned three times because of the dangerous manner of driving. Photo / File

A police chase in which a car was rammed, Tasers were pulled and a dog bit a suspect following a high-speed pursuit was justified, the force's watchdog has ruled today.

In its decision on the incident, the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) also found "prescriptive" rules covering fleeing drivers were hard to comply with when quick decisions need to be made.

In the early hours of October 30 last year, police pursued a vehicle seen driving erratically. The chase lasted 24 minutes and was abandoned three times because of the dangerous manner of driving, the report said.

Officers eventually stopped the vehicle by ramming it. They used Tasers and a police dog when getting the three occupants out, one of whom was bitten by a dog.

After reviewing the incident the IPCA found the officers involved were justified in beginning the pursuit, ramming the vehicle, firing the Tasers and using a dog to catch the occupants, who posed danger.

The gang members was subsequently convicted of obstructing police, and the driver of the Honda was convicted of driving, drug and assault charges.

The authority found police "generally" complied with their policies about risk assessment, communication, and speed and manner of driving in the pursuit, but some aspects of the communication of "risk factors" could have been improved.

"The current policy governing the pursuit of fleeing drivers is highly prescriptive, and police officers faced with the need to make quick decisions in a pursuit situation sometimes find it difficult to comply with all aspects of that policy," authority chairman Judge Sir David Carruthers said.

Police had undertaken a review of their fleeing driver policy and it was expected a new policy would be adopted soon.