Police Acknowledge IPCA Findings On Use Of ForcePolice acknowledge the findings by the Independent Police Conduct Authority into the use of force during an arrest in Whangārei. On 10 January 2023, a vehicle fled from Police and two men then fled on foot through an area of mangroves. A Police dog handler used his Police dog to track the two men, along with two officers, one of who carried a sponge round launcher slung across his front. However, the officer carrying the sponge round claimed the man was resisting arrest and subsequently delivered a palm strike to the man’s face to distract him. During the process of being arrested, the man also received a wound (consistent with the barrel of the sponge round launcher) to the top of his head.