A Police officer was charged with assault after the Police watchdog found they used excessive force, arresting Auckland youths

In 2022, Police arrested five 10-to-14-year olds in Flatbush, after stopping them in a stolen car.

Footage by witnesses showed the officers using force, including one several times striking a youth lying face-down on the ground.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority found both officers' use of force was unreasonable.

One was not charged; the other pleaded guilty to common assault and was discharged without conviction.

Both kept their jobs.