Motorway shooting charge decision appropriate

The decision not to lay criminal charges in relation to the accidental killing of Halatau Naitoko during a confrontation with an armed offender on Auckland’s motorway in January is appropriate, Police Association Vice-President Chris Cahill said today.

“The accidental death of Mr Naitoko, a young man going about his lawful business, was an absolute tragedy. It was an especially tragic outcome not only for Mr Naitoko’s family, but also for the officers involved, who were acting to save the life of another innocent motorist. There was no criminality involved in the officers’ actions and it would have served no good purpose to charge them,” Mr Cahill said.

Mr Cahill noted that the events culminating in Mr Naitoko’s death would still be subject to a number of investigations, by Police, the Coroner and the Independent Police Conduct Authority.

“Without prejudging the outcome of those investigations, it is clear that Police were responding to a dangerous and unpredictable armed offender who was threatening the lives of others. Officers had only one thing in mind, and that was to protect the public from the offender. They took the actions they believed they had to take.

“The officers involved have our full support, and Mr Naitoko's family has our deepest sympathies and respect for the dignity they have shown in the face of this tragedy,” Mr Cahill said.