Police criticised for 2007 Urewera terror raids

Police Complaints Authority criticises illegal searches during Urewera raids

A landmark report has heavily criticised the police for illegally searching and detaining people, and for setting up unlawful roadblocks, during the Urewera raids in October 2007.

Radio New Zealand,

22 May, 2013

The Independent Police Conduct Authority on Wednesday released the findings of its investigation of the case and made a series of recommendations for change.

The authority said it received multiple complaints about 'Operation Eight' which began in late 2005 and ended on 15 October 2007 with the coordinated execution of 41 search warrants throughout the country and the establishment of road blocks at Ruatoki and Taneatua.

The authority has found that, as a whole, the police operation was reasonable and necessary, but it also faults the police for several shortcomings.

Authority chairman Judge Sir David Carruthers says it scrutinised police actions at 11 properties that were searched, after people from three different addresses complained that they and others had been personally searched.

"Police had no justification for personally searching occupants, and these searches were unlawful.

"The detention of the occupants at five properties examined by the authority was also unlawful, unjustified and unreasonable."

Judge Carruthers finds fault with the police for leading people to believe they were being detained, and has also criticised what he calls deficient planning for roadblocks set up in Ruatoki and Taneatua.

He says photographs were taken of 66 drivers, 15 passengers and some children, which left people feeling degraded and intimidated.

"It also added to people's fear and anxiety. Police did not have reasonable grounds to search vehicles at the Ruatoki roadblock. Police actions in this regard were contrary to law."

The authority has made seven recommendations, including ordering the police to repair their relationship with Tuhoe and to change Armed Offenders Squad policy

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Police acknowledge mistakes

Police Commissioner Peter Marshall says he accepts the report's criticisms and acknowledges officers acted illegally in some parts of the raid.

Mr Marshall says the operation was a large one, with 300 officers deployed to search and raid properties around the country.

While there had been a two-year investigation leading up to the raids, he says, officers were only briefed that morning.

Mr Marshall also says the officers in charge of the road block at Ruatoki misinterpreted the legislation they were working under,but were not acting with any malice.

"There was an abundance of caution being exercised by them and they simply got in wrong in terms of the interpretation of the legislation on the roadblocks, and we accept that."

He apologises to anyone whonot involved in the investigation who was not a suspect and who was inconvenienced, frightened or distressed.

Tuhoe complaint

Tuhoe has complained to the Independent Police Conduct Authority that it was not given an advance copy of the report.

The police had access to the report in advance, as allowed under the law, and Tuhoe leader Tamati Kruger says the central Bay of Plenty iwi would have appreciated a similar opportunity.