A lawyer says the official police watchdog should have greater powers so it can prosecute officers.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found officers used unnecessary, excessive force when they shut down a party in Wellington in 2009.
In the midst of the shut-down, Jakob Christie was hit on the neck with a baton, causing a fracture of the vertebrae.
The authority says on the balance of probability, the injury was caused by a police baton. The identity of the officer was not established.
Mr Christie's lawyer, Keith Jefferies, says the IPCA should have the power to prosecute officers. He says this would make sure police officers at fault are revealed, including in his client's case.
