Policeman apologises to dead man's family

Nii Enoka says the apology is "a bit too late" for her and her son, Julius Harris, 3. Picture / Richard Robinson

A policeman who chased a man who then died after being struck by a truck told the man's family yesterday he wished he had made different decisions.

The constable was off duty and had been drinking before he arrested George Tipene Harris, 24, early on October 3 last year.

Mr Harris ran from the officer and was hit by a street-sweeping truck on Great South Rd at Manukau just before 4.30am. He later died in hospital.

The officer, who has interim name suppression, addressed Mr Harris' family after giving evidence at an inquest into the death.

"I'm sorry for your loss. I wish there was some easy answer for what happened [but] there won't be," he said. "I wish I could change my decisions I made that night. Maybe that would have changed things and we wouldn't be here today."

Mr Harris' mother, Daisy, said she was stunned by the apology.

Nii Enoka, his partner of 10 years and mother of his son, Julius, 3, said the apology was "a bit too late".

The death is being investigated on behalf of the Police Complaints Authority.

The inquest heard that the officer drank five beers and ate a meal at a party before going to a Manukau Central bar, where he had another two or three beers.

He was on Ronwood Ave heading to another bar to meet his brother when he crossed paths with Mr Harris and some of his family.

They asked the officer, who was talking to his brother on his cellphone, if they could use the phone to ring a taxi. He indicated for them to wait but carried on walking.

Mr Harris ran after him and reached into his pocket to get the phone.

"[Harris] said 'Let me use your phone' and pulled the pocket of my jacket, ripping it," the officer told the inquest.

"I grabbed him by the collar of his shirt saying, 'You don't do that'. I told him I was a police officer and he was under arrest."

Mr Harris, a forkhoist driver, was serving a suspended sentence for possession of an offensive weapon - his first conviction - when he was arrested.

The officer said as he was walking Mr Harris to the Wiri police station, on Ronwood Ave, Mr Harris ran off. He gave chase and tackled Mr Harris. A passing patrol unit stopped to see what was happening.

Constable Benson Murphy and Constable Reuben Harris were on their way to deal with an impounded vehicle but offered to take the officer to a police station afterwards.

On a short drive to the corner of Great South Rd and Cavendish Drive, Mr Murphy said the off-duty officer shouted and swore at Mr Harris, who was calm and not aggressive.

Mr Murphy said the officer was "slightly intoxicated" and Mr Harris was "heavily intoxicated".

All three policemen admitted the incorrect procedure had been followed in placing Mr Harris on the driver's side in the back seat. Suspects and prisoners were meant to be placed on the passenger side because the door is automatically locked.

Mr Harris opened the door and ran away. The officer gave chase while the other policemen, who had been inspecting the impounded car, went back to their car and drove around trying to find the pair.

The court heard conflicting evidence about what happened just before the street sweeper struck Mr Harris.

The officer said he was pursuing Mr Harris and tried to tackle him, but missed. He got to his feet and was about to cross Great South Rd when he heard an impact.

Semisi Cocker, who was driving the street sweeper, said he saw Mr Harris to his left and the officer in the middle of Great South Rd. Mr Cocker said Mr Harris ran in front of the truck with his hands raised.

"I thought he was trying to stop the truck. I tried to slam on the brakes but it was too late."

Coroner Sarn Herdson reserved her decision into the cause of death. It is expected to be released next year, when the officer's name suppression will also be reviewed.