Police justified in pepper-spraying man on Lower Hutt bus

Thursday 15 October 2026 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated Thu 15 Oct, 5:37pm

In this story Independent Police Conduct Authority

The Independent Police Conduct Authority found officers were justified in using force to arrest a man for disorderly behaviour on a bus in Lower Hutt. However, the watchdog noted that spraying the man in the face from less than a metre away was dangerous and contrary to policy.

How they headlined it

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11:11am5:37pm

1. StuffThu 15 Oct, 11:11am

   Officer pepper-sprayed man at close range during Lower Hutt bus arrest (opens in new tab)

2. NZ HeraldThu 15 Oct, 5:37pm

   IPCA finds police were justified to pepper-spray man after he fled on to a bus (opens in new tab)