Police present IPCA findings into Taranaki shooting

Police accept the Independent Police Review Authority’s findings into the fatal shooting of Kaoss Price in Taranaki in 2022.

At about 9.30pm on Saturday 16 April, Mr Price was traveling in a convoy with a friend, heading north towards Waitara on State Highway 3.

Two officers in a dog van parked north of Bell Block identified one of the vehicles as being associated with Mr. Price, who had a warrant for his arrest.

As the officers drove away, Mr Price turned onto the wrong side of the road to overtake his friend and sped off into the distance.

For the next three and a half minutes, Mr. Price drove at high speed without headlights; pulled out in front of a dog van, forcing the driving officer to take evasive action; hit a dog van, immobilizing his own car; and attempted to steal another vehicle from members of the public.

The officer behind the wheel, known as Officer A, shot Mr. Price six times – as he hit the dog van, as he fled his car and as he tried to carjack another vehicle.

The sixth and final shot struck Price. He was also hit with a stun gun and bitten by a police dog.

A second officer, Officer B, administered first aid as soon as it was safe to do so, but Mr. Price did not survive.

Authorities determined that Officer A was justified in shooting Mr. Price on the first two occasions, firing a total of five shots.

However, on the balance of probabilities, the court found that the final shot constituted excessive use of force.

He found no basis for criminal proceedings against Officer A and recommended that the police not undertake the recruitment process.

The use of a dog and a stun gun was also justified.

Central District Commander Superintendent Dion Bennett says the officers involved took swift action to keep themselves and the public safe.

“They had to make split-second decisions under extreme stress, and I am confident that they acted professionally in the interests of public safety.

“No officer wants to use deadly force, and our thoughts remain with the Price family as they too process these findings.”

Police admit the officers did not inform police public affairs or their supervisor that they were armed, as required by police policy.