20 Apr 2023

Officers justified in protest action - Police Watchdog

From Midday Report, 12:12 pm on 20 April 2023

A major investigation by the police watchdog has found faults with the force's response to last year's Parliamentary protest - including a lack of planning.

But the Independent Police Conduct Authority's review also commends officer's restraint in the face of extreme provocation.

For more than a year, the authority has been looking into the policing of the anti-mandate protest.

Nearly four-hundred people were interviewed by the IPCA - including the former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Parliament's former Speaker Trevor Mallard, police officers, and protesters.

RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson spoke to Katie Scotcher.