A Southland policeman has been commended for his bravery after shooting a man who tried to stab him and acted violently against a woman last year.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority released yesterday its findings into the incident in March last year in Dacre, near Invercargill.
IPCA chairman Judge Kenneth Johnston KC said the officer’s action was justified in both attempting to fire the sponge round weapon and shooting Lincoln Peter Hamilton as he was defending himself and members of the public.
"Verbal instructions and communication, and the attempted use of the sponge round weapon, had failed to stop the man.
"The officer faced serious consequences for his safety and responded appropriately and bravely to defend himself and members of the public. I commend him for his actions."
Hamilton was sentenced in the Invercargill District Court on April 27 by Judge Russell Walker to two years and five months’ jail after facing 15 charges, which included dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, assault with a weapon, intentional damage, intentional aggravated robbery and breach of a protection order.
The summary of facts stated in March 2022 a protection order was issued which prohibited Hamilton from contacting a woman.
Police had attended six family harm incidents involving them in six months.
Two days before the incident, Hamilton went to the woman’s house "uninvited and unannounced" and attacked her car with an axe, broke into her property and kicked her in the thigh.
Two days later, police responded once again to an address in Dacre in search of Hamilton after receiving information the woman was seriously injured, the IPCA report stated.
After refusing to engage with police, the man fired a shot inside the property and fled in a vehicle at high speed, crashing into a police car parked across the driveway.
Hamilton came to a stop on State Highway 1, exited his vehicle and presented a firearm and a knife.
He ran towards members of the public and attempted to enter multiple vehicles before smashing the window of a milk tanker with his firearm.
When he lunged at police with the knife, an officer made a second attempt to fire a sponge round, which again misfired.
The officer stepped back and then drew his pistol when Hamilton continued to rush forward with the knife — he fired one shot and hit Hamilton in the chest.
The defendant had surgery and recovered and the woman involved in the family harm matter was not injured, the IPCA report stated.
Southern district commander Superintendent Paul Basham said in a statement yesterday it was a high-risk situation.
"I am proud of the way our officers handled this extremely dangerous and unpredictable situation and their actions are commendable."
