Police examine safety measures after detainee's easy escape

Actions that allowed prisoner to walk free from station 'well below standard'

Police admit they acted below an acceptable standard and are scrutinising their safety procedures after alleged kidnapper Brett Makiri simply walked out of a police station.

Police had warned the public Makiri was dangerous, but as the Herald on Sunday revealed last weekend, they left him alone in an interview room at the Auckland Central Police Station and he escaped.

Makiri was arrested on April 23 after allegedly kidnapping a woman and driving her from Auckland to the Coromandel. He allegedly assaulted her several times before she was able to escape.

Although Makiri, 23, was handcuffed when he was arrested, the cuffs were removed when the interview at the station started.

Police said it was necessary for interviewers to leave the room from time to time to consult colleagues or view files. However, it was standard practice to ensure the person detained is "observed by a colleague".

The details around where the police officers were and what security there was at the time Makiri escaped are being investigated.

"The fact he was able to abscond the station and remain at large for some days is regrettable and well below the standard required by the Auckland City District Commander," a police spokeswoman said.

Superintendent Mike Clement, Auckland City District Commander, requested the locks be removed from interview room doors last year because they were "inappropriately fitted out".

An internal investigation will determine whether the detective who had Makiri in custody will undergo disciplinary action.

Makiri now faces charges of escaping, kidnapping, injuring with intent to injure and dishonestly taking a motor vehicle. He will appear in court this month.