Media release: immediate use

Officer Who Injured Farhat Buksh Broke Law And Police Policy, Authority Finds

29 May 2009 - The Auckland Police officer who seriously injured Auckland teenager Farhat Buksh was breaking the law and Police policy and should not have been speeding, the Independent Police Conduct Authority has found

On 3 August 2007 Constable Aaron Holmes drove at a speed of 70-80kph in a 50kph zone near a school as he was looking for a van that had sped off from a checkpoint.

When Constable Holmes crashed into a lamp standard at a pedestrian crossing, the lamp standard struck 14-year-old Farhat Buksh on the head, causing serious head injuries.

“Constable Holmes drove in a manner that was contrary to the law,” said Justice Goddard. “As he was not engaged in a pursuit or in urgent duty driving, there was no justification for him exceeding the speed limit.

“In driving in the manner that he did, Constable Holmes put the public at unjustified risk, and was solely responsible for the crash and the resulting serious injury to Farhat Buksh.”

The full report is available on the Authority's website: www.ipca.govt.nz

Note: Constable Holmes was charged with aggravated careless use of a motor vehicle causing injury. He was convicted in the Auckland District Court in June 2008, and in August 2008 he was disqualified from driving for a year and a day, and ordered to pay his victim $3000. In February 2009, the sentence and conviction were upheld on appeal to the High Court.

ends

© Scoop Media