On 8 October 1941 in Koiterangi (now Kowhitirangi) near Hokitika on the West Coast, Constable Jordan, Sergeant Cooper and Constables Best and Tulloch were shot while trying to apprehend a gunman. Best died three days later, the others died instantly.

The gunman, a West Coast farmer, shot the police officers and three civilians after refusing to hand over his firearms.

This was the largest manhunt in New Zealand and after 12 days seven people had died, including the gunman. An eighth victim died eighteen months later from gunshot wounds received at the shooting.

On 8 October 1941 in Koiterangi (now Kowhitirangi) near Hokitika on the West Coast, Constable Best, Sergeant Cooper and Constables Jordan and Tulloch were shot while trying to apprehend a gunman. Best died three days later, the others died instantly.

The gunman, a West Coast farmer, shot the police officers and three civilians after refusing to hand over his firearms.

This was the largest manhunt in New Zealand and after 12 days seven people had died, including the gunman. An eighth victim died eighteen months later from gunshot wounds received at the shooting.

Detective Constable Taylor, 39, was shot and killed when he and his partner attempted to stop a juvenile to question him about a property offence. The constables saw the youth driving a car at Rongotea and attempted to stop him. The boy drove to a nearby home and stopped. As Detective Constable Taylor got out of his vehicle the boy opened fire, fatally wounding him. His partner then attempted to flee on foot but was struck in the thigh as she ran for cover.

The boy then ran into the home and held three people hostage for several hours. After the hostages escaped tear gas was fired into the home, causing the boy to come out and fire more shots. When the boy came out of the home a second time he was taken into custody. He was charged with murder, attempted murder and other charges.

On 14 August 1966, while trying to prevent the escape of two prisoners, Constable Stokes was assaulted and beaten to death in the Dunedin Police cells.

One offender admitted to the murder and the other was found guilty of murder. They were both sentenced to life imprisonment.

On 6 June 1977 (Queen's Birthday Weekend), in New Plymouth, Barry Gibson stopped a car. For no apparent reason, the driver assaulted Traffic Officer Gibson, breaking his jaw in two places and severely concussing him.

Gibson never regained consciousness and died of head injuries a week later.

The offender was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to six years imprisonment.