An off-duty police officer who had been out drinking with friends instigated a fight with a member of the public at a Hamilton taxi stand and was knocked unconscious.
A summary released today by the the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA), which oversaw the police investigation, outlined how the officer had been drinking with friends in Hamilton’s CBD before approaching a person waiting at a taxi stand.
The officer then started a fight.
“As a result of the fight, the officer was knocked unconscious and admitted to hospital with a concussion,” the watchdog said.
The officer was subsequently charged with assault under the Crimes Act 1961 and pleaded guilty.
Police carried out an employment process, which found the officer engaged in serious misconduct.
The IPCA said it oversaw the police investigation and agreed with the decisions made and outcomes reached.
The officer’s behaviour breached the police code of conduct.
A police spokesperson confirmed to 1News the officer remained employed with police.