4 Jul 2018

Man who was tasered, restrained died in police custody

8:10 pm on 4 July 2018

A man has died in police custody in Auckland after being tasered, restrained and put in a spit hood.

Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller

Officers were called to Freemans Bay about a man violently assaulting an elderly man outside a house.

He had smashed a car window and was kicking the unconscious victim in the head, police said.

Police use the hoods to stop offenders spitting at them

A file photo of a spit hood Photo: Supplied / NZ Police

He refused to move out of the way so they could help the victim and moved aggressively towards them, police said.

When he lunged at officers he was tasered several times and also had to be restrained.

He was taken to the police station where officers say his condition deteriorated and he had to be given CPR.

He died in hospital this morning.

The case has been referred to the Independent Police Conduct Authority, Worksafe and the Coroner.