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Allegations
of Abuse in Institutions |
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The head of south
Auckland police has described the behaviour of officers at the Wiri station who
took photos of themselves and members of the public in unacceptable
circumstances, as appalling. The unacceptable
circumstances included joke photographs of machete-wielding men and suspects
made to wear demeaning signs. The photos came to
light during the hearing of Senior Sergeant Anthony Laime Solomona who was
found guilty of assaulting 17-year-old Angelo Turner by handcuffing him
without just cause. In February last year,
Turner was arrested after swearing at Solomona who had just hit his car on the
forecourt of a Manurewa service station. "I can see nothing
that Mr Turner had done to justify his arrest for breach of the peace,"
District Court Judge Bruce Davidson said. Solomona was acquitted
on three other assault charges, and one of assault with a weapon. During the hearing
Davidson strongly condemned "some disturbing police practices". Davidson did not enter
a conviction against Solomona, but agreed to allow his counsel, John Haigh
QC, the opportunity to file submissions for a discharge without conviction. The matter will be in
the Manukau District Court next week. |
