![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/the-bus-stop-on-cockayne-rd-in-kandallah-where-the-incident-WWWFQC5SFNC5RCI76I2PMMDAJM.png\")
<\/p>\nThe Independent Police Conduct Authority says Wellington police were justified in tasering an armed man who received a serious head injury after he fell onto the road.<\/p>\n
Police were called to reports that a man, who was armed with a blade from a pair of hedge trimmers, had trapped a woman and her baby in a bus-stop on Cockayne Road in Khandallah just after midday on 9 January.<\/p>\n
One person who called police told operators the man \u2013 referred to in the report as Mr Z \u2013 was “out of control”.<\/p>\n
“I’ve got a situation at bus stop 4411 on Cockayne Rd. I’ve got a bleeding woman with a distraught child. I’ve got a man who’s out of control, he’s violent, he’s tearing up the bus stop,” the caller said.<\/p>\n
The authority’s report said “a hacking sound” could be heard over the line as the man struck the bus-stop.<\/p>\n
Five police surrounded the bus-stop and the woman was able to slip out with her child as an officer attempted to speak to the man.<\/p>\n
As the man tried to follow the woman onto the road an officer fired their Taser but the weapon appeared to have no effect.<\/p>\n
“[The man] stopped and turned to face the officers, as though he was preparing to confront them. At this point, [he] was approximately three to four metres away from the officers, holding the bladed weapon at a 45-degree angle,” as outlined in a summary of a witness’s cell phone footage.<\/p>\n
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The bus stop on Cockayne Rd in Kandallah where the incident took place. (Source: rnz.co.nz)<\/p>\n
Officers yelled “Taser! Taser! Taser!” and the footage recorded two loud bangs as two officers fired their Tasers at the man.<\/p>\n
“In response, Mr Z became rigid and fell to the ground. His head hit the tarmac surface of the road. This interaction lasted about five seconds from the moment Mr Z started following [the woman], until he fell to the ground,” the report stated.<\/p>\n
Judge Kenneth Johnston KC said police acted out of genuine concern for the safety of the woman and child, themselves and other bystanders.<\/p>\n
“The video footage shows that Mr Z adopted an aggressive stance, looking as if he was preparing to fight with the officers. Communication with Mr Z was ineffective. Officers cannot be expected to use open-hand tactics against someone armed with a bladed weapon. Mr Z was using the weapon in a threatening manner. Additionally, Officer B correctly assessed that four metres could be quickly closed and locked by Mr Z, which would put the officers at significant risk,” Johnston wrote.<\/p>\n
He said officers wasted no time in requesting medical attention for the man once he had fallen.<\/p>\n
“Police radio transmissions record that at 12.07pm, Officer A informed Comms that Mr Z was tasered.<\/p>\n
“Sixteen seconds later, Comms was informed that Mr Z had sustained a serious head injury, and a request for an ambulance was made. Comms informed the officers that an ambulance had already been contacted… and was en route to their location,” Johnston wrote.<\/p>\n
Mr Z told the IPCA he suffered a brain injury from the fall and he consequently did not remember what happened on the day. \u201cWhile we do not have medical evidence available to us, we accept that Mr Z suffered an injury to his brain when he fell.\u201d <\/p>\n
Johnston concluded he was satisfied the officers had followed police policies on Taser use and were justified in their actions.<\/p>\n
In a statement, acting Wellington District Commander Inspector Nick Thom said officers assessed the situation and responded accordingly, to ensure the safety of the public.<\/p>\n
“Officers deployed their tasers to stop a dangerous situation evolving into something that could have been much worse. Our officers have made good decisions and the IPCA investigation supports that,” Thom said.<\/p>\n
Shortly after the incident, Detective Senior Sergeant Tim Leitch confirmed the child was uninjured and the woman had been treated for a minor injury.<\/p>\n
The IPCA report said the woman suffered a deep cut to her thumb when \u2013 at some point \u2013 she pushed the man’s weapon away from her.<\/p>\n