Waitemata police officers acted appropriately when they fatally shot a man who was high on meth and who tried to attack them with a machete.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) found two officers were legally justified to fire 12 shots at Jerrim Toms, on State Highway 1 near Puhoi north of Auckland in last year.
Just before 3:30am on March 31, 2018, an officer came across Toms in a vehicle parked on SH1 north of Wellsford.
Toms' car was blocking the road. The IPCA says when the officer stopped to talk to him, he got out with a machete in his hand and the officer called for backup.
Seven patrol cars then chased Toms for 40 minutes after he drove away. Police used road spikes three times to try and stop him.
He was stopped about 1km north of the Johnstones Hill Tunnel.
The IPCA investigation found Toms then got out of his vehicle with the machete and ignored an officer's commands to stop. That's when the officer and another colleague opened fire.
Attempts to revive him were unsuccessful and Toms died at the scene.
IPCA chair Judge Colin Doherty said given Toms' actions, it was understandable the officer's wanted to stop his threatening behaviour.
Judge Doherty however was critical of the poor communication by police during the incident.
"The Shift Commander was not proactive in ensuring there was a proper plan in place."
Waitemata District Commander Supt Naila Hassan said it was a position no officer wants to be put in.
"These officers showed immense bravery in a high-risk situation dealing with an offender who was on methamphetamine and highly agitated.
"Police shootings have a major impact on staff involved and their families and they've been supported by their colleagues and wider police families."
Supt Hassan offered her condolences to Toms' family.
