Police make meal of diner's rude gesture to helicopter

Police pulled an Auckland restaurant diner away from his lunch for a tongue-lashing after he gave the finger to the police helicopter as it lifted off outside the window.

The man made the gesture while dining with a woman at Mikano restaurant, which overlooks the police helicopter base at Mechanics Bay, last Friday, a witness said.

A few minutes later, a policeman entered the restaurant and took the man outside for a "stern talking to", the witness said. "It seemed like a huge over-reaction and abuse of power to those of us who witnessed the event."

Inspector Mark Hall of Auckland City Police would not make inquiries with the helicopter crew yesterday and described the matter as "trivial".

He said if police had spoken to a diner, then it was appropriate action. Police would respond to offensive behaviour directed at them, he said.

"I haven't made any inquiries and we're just discussing a hypothetical. On the face of it, it's offensive. The person appears to have been spoken to about his behaviour."