The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found that two officers did not cause the death of a man while arresting him in South Auckland.
Henry Bailey, 42, died of a heart attack in February last year, after he was pepper-sprayed twice, placed in a headlock and handcuffed.
The authority says Mr Bailey had launched an unprovoked attack on a flatmate, before police officers visited his home and attempted to calm him.
It says the man, who suffered from schizophrenia, did not respond to clear warnings from the two officers.
Mr Bailey attempted to punch and then charge at them and was still lashing out after he was restrained.
But the authority says the officers did not obstruct Mr Bailey's throat and applied CPR as soon as he lost consicousness.
It says he had a heart condition, which put him at risk of a heart attack.
