Police who allowed a man to be bitten by a police dog for almost a minute have been criticised

The Independent Police Conduct Authority found overly aggressive force was used by police arresting a fleeing ute driver in Christchurch in 2017.

A dog handler set a dog that was still being trained on the man - and he was bitten continuously, as well as being struck with a gun.

Authority chairman, Judge Colin Doherty, says the use of the police dog was unprofessional and no member of the public should be subjected to biting for training purposes.

He says police had time to form a plan during a lengthy pursuit.