Police investigated for language during Auckland motorway pursuit
Wednesday 30 September 2026 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated In this story Independent Police Conduct Authority
The Independent Police Conduct Authority agreed with police findings regarding a high-speed pursuit involving a stolen car in Auckland. While the force used to arrest four teenagers was deemed justified, three officers were spoken to by managers after using unprofessional and aggressive language during the incident.
Key facts
4 facts
- The incident took place on 7 April 2025.
- The IPCA agreed that the use of force was justified.
- Four young people were arrested in a stolen car near Ellerslie.
- Officers used unprofessional and overly aggressive language during the arrest.
The full story
1 min read · 2 outlets
The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) has agreed with police findings that the force used to arrest four young people in a stolen car was justified. The incident occurred on the evening of Monday, 7 April 2025, after a high-speed pursuit across Auckland motorways. While the force was deemed appropriate, the IPCA found that officers used "unprofessional and overly aggressive language" during the encounter.
The pursuit began after police spotted a stolen car being driven dangerously in West Auckland. After the vehicle was abandoned, the occupants attempted to steal another car and fled on foot. At approximately 9.30pm, an Eagle helicopter spotted another stolen car leaving an address in Henderson. The vehicle travelled along the Northwestern and Southwestern motorways before being blocked near Ellerslie using tyre spikes and patrol vehicles.
When the occupants refused to follow instructions, officers smashed the windows of the locked car to remove them. The four young people, who were under the influence of nitrous oxide, resisted arrest and sustained minor injuries such as scrapes and grazes. The entire event was live-streamed to family and friends on social media by the youths.
Superintendent Sunny Patel stated, "The occupants refused to follow police instructions and staff were forced to smash windows to remove them from the vehicle". Police managers have since spoken to three officers regarding their conduct. The 18-year-old driver had previously been the subject of a media appeal regarding an aggravated robbery. A 15-year-old passenger faced charges for two robberies, while the remaining occupants, aged 16 and 19, faced charges for failing to stop and unlawfully entering a motor vehicle.
Where reports differ
- One report states the pursuit began when police responded to reports of a stolen vehicle, while another provides a timeline starting with a vehicle being abandoned in West Auckland.
Compiled from reports by Stuff and 1News.
