A police officer was justified using force to detain a young woman who had run away from hospital, the Independent Police Conduct Authority has found.
File image. Photo: 123RF
The young woman had been admitted to hospital in October 2020 because of serious concerns for her mental health, including a risk of self-harm.
Police were notified by the young woman's social workers after she fled and were requested to assist in locating her so she could be returned to hospital.
The 15-year-old was found a short distance from the hospital but resisted an officer's attempts to detain her.
Believing she may cause herself serious harm, the officer restrained her in handcuffs.
The Authority said it was satisfied the officer was justified in his decision to use force and that it was reasonable.
It acknowledged it was distressing for the young woman, however, it was satisfied that the officer was in a difficult situation where he genuinely and reasonably believed force was necessary to detain her and return her to hospital.
The IPCA said the officer's use of force in taking the woman to the ground and holding her down for a short time in order to apply handcuffs was reasonable.
Counties Manukau District Commander Superintendent Jill Rogers said the officer acted quickly in a difficult situation and took appropriate action to detain the young woman and return her to hospital care for her own safety.