Police not justified at shooting armed man in Ellerslie in 2021 - IPCA

The police watchdog has found an officer was not justified in shooting at a fleeing armed man at an Auckland intersection in 2021.

Police had been pursuing the man in Ōtāhuhu for half an hour when he abandoned his vehicle on the Southern Motorway and was picked up by a second car.

From the passenger seat, the man - who had breached his electronically monitored bail - pointed a gun at a police car, police said.

There was a standoff with police at an intersection in Ellerslie, and the armed man again pointed a gun at officers.

A police officer then fired several shots without hitting the armed man, police said.

A few minutes later in Hillsborough, the passenger and driver abandoned the car and fled on foot.

The same officer ran after them and fired four shots at the armed man, seriously injuring him.

Despite his injuries, he continued to resist arrest.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority found the officer who fired at the car was not justified in doing so, due to the risk of hitting the driver or a member of the public.

The authority did, however, find the same officer was justified in firing at the armed man later in Hillsborough.

The man sustained life-threatening injuries but survived.

In response, police said they acknowledged the IPCA's findings.

Acting Superintendent Sunny Patel said every day, police staff made quick decisions in high-pressure, dynamic situations.

"This was a dangerous incident that played out across the city. The officer involved only had seconds to decide on their actions, and thankfully no one else was hurt or killed that day.

"Our staff are reminded of our policies around fleeing vehicles and pursuits involving firearms, and the risk that discharging a firearm poses."