Police watchdog says officers justified in shooting knife, crowbar-wielding man nine times in North Canterbury

Canterbury police officers were justified in shooting a man who confronted a family armed with a knife and crowbar in Kaiapoi last year, the Independent Police Complaints Authority has ruled.

At 7.30pm on June 25 last year police responded to a report that a man had confronted a family with a metal bar.

Officers located the man - who became aggressive as they spoke with him.

The man advanced on the officers and as more police arrived, they made several unsuccessful attempts to subdue him, using pepper spray and Tasers.

After he entered a private property and again advanced on police, officers held a genuine fear the man would seriously harm or kill a member of the public or a one of their number.

As he advanced on one officer, another, fearing for his colleague’s life, discharged his firearm towards the man.

He fired two bursts of six rounds.

The shots had no apparent effect, and as the man continued to advance on police, another officer fired his pistol three times, causing the man to fall.

He suffered serious injuries to his hands, chest, abdomen and legs but survived.

“While recovering from surgery for his wounds, the man was charged with various offences, including assault with a weapon and threatening to kill, but was found to be unfit to plead on account of his mental health,” said IPCA chairman Judge Kenneth Johnston KC.

“The Authority found the use of pepper spray and Taser by officers was justified, as was the shooting of the man by two officers, who were both acting in defence of another.

“Verbal instructions and communication, and then the use of pepper spray and Tasers had failed to stop the man.

“We commend the officers who went into a darkened rear property in pursuit of an aggressive and unpredictable suspect.

“After that, when an officer tried to Taser the man, he was faced with a serious threat and the two armed officers responded appropriately to defend him..”

Canterbury District Commander Superintendent Tony Hill acknowledged the findings.

Hill said the officers who attended the incident “acted bravely during an unpredictable and fast-moving incident”.

“Our officers made every attempt to de-escalate this situation and talk peacefully with the man.

“Unfortunately, they were put in a position where they had no choice but to use firearms to resolve this dangerous situation.

“I am extremely proud of their actions.

“The responding staff tried to resolve the situation without force and had to make a call that no police officer wants to make.”

Hill said the incident was distressing for everyone involved.

“This is a reminder of the unpredictable nature of policing, and I’m grateful for the heroic actions of those involved.”