Police shooting on residential Christchurch street after pursuit was justified, IPCA rules

The dramatic shoot-out with police in a residential Christchurch street was witnessed by several locals. Photo / Supplied

Officers were justified in firing on an armed man when a pursuit ended on a residential Christchurch street, the police watchdog has ruled.

On February 23 last year, police had chased a modified Holden in the eastern suburb of Wainoni but abandoned the pursuit when they were fired upon.

None of the occupants were apprehended at that time.

Three days later, an officer saw a man in the same car and a pursuit started on Breezes Rd.

Police spiked the tyres, bringing the car to a slow on Eveleyn Couzins Ave in Richmond.

The fleeing driver, Tolu Ma'anaiama, continued driving at a low speed, waving a shotgun out of the window. He then stopped and got out of the car.

During the exchange that followed, he fired two shots at officers.

Three police officers then fired a total of 35 shots between them, until Ma'anaiama dropped his firearm and fell to the ground.

Concerned Ma'anaiama might still reach for his shotgun, an officer directed his police dog to bite his arm.

While at his High Court trial last year evidence was heard Ma'anaiama had been shot three times, the Independent Police Conduct Authority report released today says he was hit twice.

No other person was injured.

The fleeing driver claimed it was a desperate "suicide by cop" attempt and was jailed for nine years.

A jury had found him guilty on four charges of using a firearm against police but acquitted him on charges of attempting to murder two officers.

Today the IPCA announced its findings that police were justified in firing at Ma'anaiama to defend themselves and others.

The use of the police dog was also justified as it helped officers carry out the arrest.

Some officers breached policy by not reporting they were armed and not wearing ballistic body armour.

"The man used lethal force to resist police, posing a risk to the officers and to members of the public," IPCA chairman Judge Colin Doherty said.

"Officers had little option but to respond, using their firearms to overcome and incapacitate the man."

Canterbury District Commander Superintendent John Price said a debrief was held after the incident, in which staff received further training around wearing ballistic body armour and appropriate reporting when armed.

Price said every day police were in the community and put in "high-pressure situations".

These officers were simply ensuring the safety of the community they serve, he said.

Canterbury District Commander Superintendent John Price at the Darfield Police Station in 2018. Photo / Jason Oxenham

"I remain extremely proud of the police officers' actions as they faced a dynamic and dangerous situation," he said.

It was an "unpredictable incident" and the community could be proud of actions of the attending officers whose sole intent was to ensure safety, he said.

"Any attack on police is an attack on us all and I'm extremely grateful that those attending officer's responded in a justified manner and were not seriously harmed."