Actions of Armed Offenders Squad officers leading up to fatal shooting of Astin Hooper unjustified says IPCA
12 May, 2021 10:04 PM
4 minutes to read
The scene on State Highway 30, near the Te Teko racecourse where a man died after being shot in a police shootout in 2019. Photo / File
The scene on State Highway 30, near the Te Teko racecourse where a man died after being shot in a police shootout in 2019. Photo / File
Rotorua Daily Post
The actions of two Armed Offenders Squad members leading up to the fatal shooting of a Kawerau man were unjustified, the Independent Police Conduct Authority has found.
Date Time
NZ police response to IPCA report – Kawerau
Police notes the IPCA’s report into the events leading to the fatal shooting of Astin Hooper in Kawerau in February 2019.
The IPCA ruled the shooting as justified given that at the time the officers were acting in self-defence.
However the Authority ruled that before it got to that point, officers ought to have stopped at the cordon and sought to de-escalate the situation by communicating with Mr Hooper.
Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Andy McGregor says that given Mr Hooper’s actions earlier in the day, officers had reason to believe he continued to pose a threat.
Since Operation Tauwhiro
launched in February, 350 firearms have been seized, along
with $2.46 million in cash.
378 people have been
arrested in relation to firearms offences.
“Although
we are only in the early stages of this long-term operation,
these initial results are significant,” says Assistant
Commissioner: Investigations, Lauano Sue
Schwalger.
“A recent search warrant in Auckland
recovered 11 starter pistols in various states of conversion
to live firing firearms.
Following a search warrant in
Northland, ten firearms were located - seven semi-automatic
rifles, one bolt action rifle, and two
shotguns”.
“Any individuals or groups that are in
possession of unlawful firearms or are involved in violence
(File image).
Photo: RNZ / Claire Eastham-Farrelly
Operation Tauwhiro aims to disrupt and prevent gun violence by criminal gangs and organised crime groups.
Since the operation was launched in February, 350 firearms and $2.4 million in cash have been seized, and 378 people have been arrested on firearms offences.
Police said a recent search warrant in Auckland had resulted in the seizure of 11 starter pistols that were being modified to live firing firearms.
Another search warrant in Northland located 10 firearms - seven semi-automatic rifles, one bolt action rifle, and two shotguns.
In a statement, assistant commissioner for investigations Lauano Sue Schwalger said the results of the operation have been significant .
SunLive - Fifty three nabbed in firearm prevention campaign sunlive.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from sunlive.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.