In October 2018, Gan was on patrol with his partner near Auckland Domain which had been targeted in a number of recent burglaries.
A suspicious car caught the eye of the officers.
Gan noted its registration and sought a National Intelligence Application (NIA) check, learning it was wanted for failing to stop at an incident three weeks prior.
The vehicle stopped, but when Gan's partner got out of the patrol car it took off at speed.
A 16.5km pursuit ensued, spanning nine minutes, until the Eagle helicopter was overhead.
Judge Ema Aitken said Gan had been travelling in excess of 100km/h before reaching Symonds St.
Once on the city road he travelled at an average speed of 154-156km/h while going through two red lights.
The first red light had been showing for over 10 seconds.
The second had shown only for about 1.5 seconds but another car was waiting to turn left facing a green light for about 0.6 of a second.
"At those speeds, travelling through those red lights, it would have taken you up to 160 metres to stop had you been required to," Judge Aitken said.
"In those situations, I was well satisfied that your driving was dangerous."
The fleeing car was eventually abandoned, the four occupants all fled but were arrested, with the driver ultimately charged with offending.
Judge Aitken said she had the benefit of hearing evidence from Gan's four superior officers, all of whom regarded him as a "very competent driver" in pursuit and "well qualified" in his field.
"There is no evidence at all that any of your driving on that night could be described as flamboyant or with a sense of entitlement on the basis of your status as a police officer in pursuit," she said.
The judge was satisfied there did not need to be any driving disqualification on the grounds of special reasons.
It was to his credit that Gan did not seek a discharge without conviction, she said.
A conviction could have ongoing consequences on his career, she said.
"For all of those reasons, Mr Gan, unusually but appropriately in my view, you are simply convicted and discharged."
The officer was convicted late last year in the Auckland District Court. Photo / File
Auckland City District Commander Superintendent Karyn Malthus said a review found on multiple occasions Gan breached police policy during the incident.
On multiple occasions, Gan breached the legislative requirement for travelling under 20km/h through an intersection under lights and sirens, she said.
"While police have abilities under legislation to urgent duty drive, there should be a focus on the level of risk posed to staff and members of the public in determining what speed is appropriate."
Decisions to charge police staff were "not taken lightly" and police conduct matters must be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly.
Fleeing driver incidents are often "fast-moving and evolving" situations for our staff on the ground.
Superintendent Karyn Malthus pictured outside Auckland Central Police Station in July 2018. Photo / Greg Bowker
"However, safety of the public and our staff is paramount and in this case a decision was made to charge the officer concerned," Malthus said.
"The public rightly hold police officers to high standards."
