Police praise actions of officer in early morning Wellington city incident

Wellington Police are praising the actions of a senior staff member confronted by a knife-wielding man in central Wellington in the early hours of this morning.

Officer in charge of the Wellington City CIB Detective Inspector Paul Basham says at around midnight, Police were notified of a man allegedly slashing tyres and threatening members of the public with a knife along Hutt Road in Kaiwharawhara.

"The offender then left in a vehicle and was found by Police at the Z Service Station on Waterloo Quay a short time later by an officer in a patrol car.

He says, "The Senior Sergeant approached the agitated offender in an attempt to calm him down, however he refused to comply with the officer's instructions and made his way back to his car. A witness nearby warned the officer the offender was in possession of a knife."

"Concerned about the escalating dangers to himself and members of the public, coupled with the offender's refusal to comply with his instructions, the officer approached the offender's car and deployed pepper spray, in an attempt to incapacitate him.

Paul Basham says, "Given the windy conditions, the pepper spray had limited effect on the offender who then advanced on the officer, holding two knives above his head. The unarmed officer, making a tactical retreat to his vehicle, radioed for assistance in the form of a patrol car with a Taser and was fortunate a patrol had already been deployed and arrived simultaneously."

Though partially affected by the pepper spray, the offender remained non-compliant and as such was still a threat to the officers and nearby witnesses. The arriving patrol deployed the Taser and the offender was taken into custody and the knives recovered without further incident. No one was injured.

Detective Inspector Basham is praising the actions of the Senior Sergeant and the officers involved in what was a volatile situation.

"This incident really highlights the unpredictable situations our staff find themselves in from time to time. Our staff's actions in resolving this situation calmly and without incident or injury is to be commended."

A 37 year old man is facing various charges including possession of an offensive weapon, two counts of assault with intent to use a weapon and four of wilful damage. He will appear in the Wellington District Court tomorrow.

Police are continuing to provide support to the officer concerned and completing interviews with witnesses, in relation to the incident.