A Rotorua lawyer heavily involved in the Urewera Raids case says it's now a matter of waiting to see what, if any, compensation will be offered to those "unlawfully and unreasonably" detained during the raids.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority yesterday released its report into the actions of police during the operation and found that police acted "unlawfully, unjustifiably and unreasonably" in establishing road blocks, and detaining and searching people during the Urewera raids six years ago.
IPCA chairman Sir David Carruthers said while the operation was justified, the road blocks established by police at Ruatoki and Taneatua were unlawful, unjustified and unreasonable. He said the detention of the occupants at five properties examined by the authority was unlawful and unreasonable and that personal searches conducted by police on a number of occupants were unlawful.
Rotorua lawyer Annette Sykes helped complainants and was interviewed as part of the IPCA process. She was also involved in representing some of those originally arrested but walked free.
Ms Sykes said it was now up to the complainants to read the report and consider what the next steps were in terms of compensation.