The police watchdog has criticised an officer and controller who didn't follow procedure after abandoning a pursuit, but says the chase was justified.
Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson
Police began following the stolen Subaru in the Lower Hutt suburb of Taita early on 12 November last year.
The officer soon lost sight of the vehicle but continued looking for the car down side streets.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority found at that point they didn't follow procedure.
"The pursuing officer should have completed all the steps required by police policy when a pursuit is abandoned. The pursuit controller should have sought confirmation from the pursuing officer as to whether or not he was abandoning the pursuit, or instructed him to complete all the abandonment procedures," the Authority Chair, Judge Colin Doherty said.
Shortly after the officer spotted the car again and re-engaged in the pursuit, reaching speeds of 170kph on the open road.
The car crashed minutes later in the nearby suburb of Petone, and the driver and front seat passenger fled before being caught by a police dog that bit them.
Two back seat passengers had to be cut from the car by emergency services and were taken to hospital where they were treated for their injuries.
The Authority said police were justified when using a police dog and provided the appropriate care to the back seat passengers.
In a statement the police said they accepted the Authority's findings and the officer and communication centre staff have received appropriate training.
"Lessons have been learned as a result of this incident and both the attending officer and the communications centre staff have been retrained on the abandonment of police pursuits," Acting District Commander Inspector Chris Bensemann said.
"Our officers face challenging situations every day and must make extremely quick decisions while considering the safety of members of the public," he said.