Please attribute to Superintendent Jill Rogers, Counties Manukau District Commander:
Police acknowledge the report from the Independent Police Conduct Authority into the fatal pursuit death of Morocco Tai on October 9th 2017, which found that the actions of Police during the pursuit were justified.
The incident began when an off-duty Police officer identified a stolen vehicle driving on the Mt Wellington Highway, and a pursuit was later initiated on Bairds Road following the arrival of marked patrol cars as Morocco Tai failed to stop for Police.
The officers involved made the decision to abandon the pursuit a short time later, as Police lost sight of the vehicle after it had driven through a red light while traveling at speeds of up to 100kph.
The vehicle was then found a short time later to have crashed into a tree with the driver, Morocco Tai, dying at the scene. Two other passengers were seriously injured.
The IPCA report has found that Police complied with the law and complied with Police policy before and during the pursuit.
Superintendent Jill Rogers says she supports the actions of her staff involved in this incident and says welfare referrals were given to staff who attended this crash, with support also provided to the family of Morocco Tai.
“Every death on our roads is a tragedy, and this is the absolute last outcome that any of my staff wanted,” says Superintendent Jill Rogers.
“This fatal crash could have been avoided had the driver chosen to stop for Police and this incident demonstrates the serious risk involved when drivers choose to flee the scene.
“We ask that people stop if requested by Police and to not put their own life, or the lives of innocent members of the public, at risk by attempting to flee from Police.”
ENDS
Nick Baker/NZ Police