An internal police investigation into a complaint against a Cromwell police officer has been referred to the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA).
Southern district operations manager Inspector Lane Todd said no action had been taken against the officer subject to the complaint, and the police's investigation had been passed on to the IPCA for review.
An IPCA spokesman said the investigation would be assessed before a decision was made on whether any further action was required to resolve the complaint.
James Duncan McNaughton (51), company director, of Cromwell, was convicted and sentenced in the Alexandra District Court by justices of the peace Daphne Stewart and Rory Gollop in January on a charge of disorderly behaviour.
Mr McNaughton admitted the charge, for which he was fined $350 and ordered to pay court costs of $130, but made an official complaint against the Cromwell officer who arrested and charged him in relation to the incident, claiming he was "roughed up".
At the time, Mr McNaughton told the court he was pepper-sprayed and tightly handcuffed while being arrested at the Golden Gate Lodge in Cromwell on December 19 last year.
He claimed his wrists were injured when he was shoved into a police car while handcuffed, and when in a cell at the Cromwell police station he fell unconscious, hitting his head on a wall.
Mr McNaughton said he also had ongoing eye problems as a result of being pepper-sprayed.
The police summary of facts in relation to the incident stated Mr McNaughton had been drinking at the pub and was asked to leave about 1am because of his level of intoxication.
He refused to do so, swore at the bar manager, and police were called, it stated.
After being escorted from the bar by a police officer, he rushed at the constable and bar staff aggressively.
"A violent confrontation appeared likely and the defendant was pepper-sprayed and arrested," the summary stated.
When contacted by the Otago Daily Times yesterday, Mr McNaughton said he did not want to comment on the matter until he had heard from the IPCA.
