18 Jul 2011

Officers 'had no option' but to shoot

8:26 am on 18 July 2011

The police officers' union says it expects that every inquiry into the weekend siege in Taranaki will prove that police had no option but to kill the gunman.

Anthony Ratahi, 46, took his ex-girlfriend hostage in Opunake late on Friday night, leading to a 12-hour standoff with the Armed Offenders Squad.

Police said he was shot and killed after he had refused to surrender and a police dog had been set on him.

Several inquiries are underway into the standoff, covering the actions of the dead man and the actions of the police.

Police Association president Greg O'Connor says he's confident any and every inquiry will show a deadly shot was the only option available to officers.

Mr O'Connor says that, as in many such cases, the actions of the offender determine the outcome.

Acting District Commander, Central District, Inspector Pat Handcock, told Morning Report there was a confrontation between police and Ratahi involving a police dog.

He said police have found a gun and knife they believe Ratahi used to take the woman hostage.

Police are holding three investigations into the incident - one focussing on the actions of the dead man, one on the actions of the police and a third on police procedures and guidelines. The Independent Police Conduct Authority is also investigating the incident.