The fatal police shooting of an armed man in Whanganui was justified, the police conduct watchdog has found.
An armed officer (file photo). The IPCA said police had reasonable grounds to believe Savey Suos posed an immediate threat. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police
Police were called to a sleepout on 6 January 2016 last year following reports of domestic violence.
The first officers on the scene spoke to the victim before approaching her partner, Savey Suos, in the doorway of a sleepout.
When he was told he was under arrest, Mr Suos pulled out a sawn-off shotgun and pointed it at the officers.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) report said the officers retreated and called in the Armed Offenders Squad who cordoned off the house and pleaded with Mr Suos to put his hands in the air.
Instead, Mr Suos walked towards an armed officer and raised his sawn-off shotgun.
The officer fired three shots - two of which hit Mr Suos. He died later that night in hospital.
IPCA chairperson Judge Colin Doherty said the officers had reasonable grounds to believe Mr Suos posed an immediate threat of serious harm or death and acted in self-defence.
Central district commander Sue Schwalger said the actions of the officer were in direct response to the life threatening behaviour of Mr Suos.
"Given the danger of the situation, shooting Mr Suos was necessary to ensure the safety of our staff and the community."
Superintendent Schwalger said the IPCA noted a lack of communications between the central communications shift commander and the AOS commander and though this did not have an impact on the outcome police had made improvements in the system.
