Nearly one fifth of officers recruited from the United Kingdom who have served in the New Zealand Police have left.
The National Party last year expressed concern at the high attrition rate from the 2003 group, and called on Police Minister Annette King to look at what is happening.
Clearly, little has been done to arrest the rate of attrition.
You have to wonder if the conditions of work are made clear to them before we put the time and resources into training them.
Monday, 11 June 2007
Police attitude appals Muliagas
Folole Muliaga's children are devastated and their lawyer will lodge a complaint with the Commissioner of Police after an acrimonious meeting between the family and Police.
Talks with the police broke down after they refused "point blank" to show family lawyer Olinda Woodroffe copies of earlier statements by the children.
The Police gave no reason for their refusal, and the confrontation left Mrs Muliaga's 20-year-old son"too upset to talk".
The family were struggling to come to terms with Mrs Muliaga's death, and Saturday's meeting - arranged by Ms Woodroffe and attended by a Samoan interpreter - had left them "astounded" by the police attitude.
They are victims here, not suspects. Police should have a bit more sensitivity.
Ms Woodroffe last night confirmed that when she asked for copies of the earlier statements, the police said, "There's no need for you to see it".
She claims "They came in with an attitude."
She said it was not acceptable that the boys had earlier been interviewed without a lawyer or interpreter and without first being read their rights.
The Muliagas had initiated the meeting, but it did not proceed as Ms Woodroffe did not agree to the terms.
It is not the family's first run-in with police over Mrs Muliaga's death.
To conduct six-hour interviews with the Muliaga boys the day after their mother's death was "absolutely improper".
Talks with the police broke down after they refused "point blank" to show family lawyer Olinda Woodroffe copies of earlier statements by the children.
The Police gave no reason for their refusal, and the confrontation left Mrs Muliaga's 20-year-old son"too upset to talk".
The family were struggling to come to terms with Mrs Muliaga's death, and Saturday's meeting - arranged by Ms Woodroffe and attended by a Samoan interpreter - had left them "astounded" by the police attitude.
They are victims here, not suspects. Police should have a bit more sensitivity.
Ms Woodroffe last night confirmed that when she asked for copies of the earlier statements, the police said, "There's no need for you to see it".
She claims "They came in with an attitude."
She said it was not acceptable that the boys had earlier been interviewed without a lawyer or interpreter and without first being read their rights.
The Muliagas had initiated the meeting, but it did not proceed as Ms Woodroffe did not agree to the terms.
It is not the family's first run-in with police over Mrs Muliaga's death.
To conduct six-hour interviews with the Muliaga boys the day after their mother's death was "absolutely improper".
Bay of Plenty Police Brutality.
Four Whakatane police officers accused of assault have been committed for trial.
Sergeants Keith Parsons, 51, and Erle Busby, 46, senior constable Bruce Laing, 45, and constable John Mills, 38, are jointly accused of assaulting a man with pepper spray and batons in the Whakatane police cells in October.
Tauranga-based lawyer Rachael Adams entered not guilty pleas on behalf of the four police officers.
All were remanded for a callover in the Tauranga District Court on July 26.
Busby faces three charges of assault using a police tactical baton and one charge of assault using a police side handle baton.
Parsons faces two charges of assault using a tactical baton and one charge of assault using pepper spray.
Laing and Mills are each charged with assault using pepper spray.
Sergeants Keith Parsons, 51, and Erle Busby, 46, senior constable Bruce Laing, 45, and constable John Mills, 38, are jointly accused of assaulting a man with pepper spray and batons in the Whakatane police cells in October.
Tauranga-based lawyer Rachael Adams entered not guilty pleas on behalf of the four police officers.
All were remanded for a callover in the Tauranga District Court on July 26.
Busby faces three charges of assault using a police tactical baton and one charge of assault using a police side handle baton.
Parsons faces two charges of assault using a tactical baton and one charge of assault using pepper spray.
Laing and Mills are each charged with assault using pepper spray.
Wednesday, 6 June 2007
South Auckland Police Racism
Racist remark undermines police efforts with Asians
Racist comments by a senior detective do nothing to encourage Asians to come forward to report crime.
Senior detective Neil Grimstone commented to a conference on Chinese organised crime that some who could be 'blindfolded with a shoelace' couldn’t be trusted.
Counties Manukau police district commander, Superintendent Steve Shortland admitted Grimstone was under investigation.
But Shortland said Grimstone's remarks were "totally inappropriate and unacceptable" and defied police orders.
Muliaga family accuse police of racism
Police investigating the death of south Auckland woman Folole Muliaga have been accused of institutionalised racism by her family.
Family spokesman, Brenden Sheehan, said they were "hugely insensitive" and had shown "institutionalised racism" by not knowing how to deal with other cultures.
Mr Sheehan said he received a telephone message from police saying he was expecting one of Mrs Muliaga's sons to be interviewed with a lawyer present and "could he come down to the police station that day.
"Obviously I didn't return the call but it's outrageous. These people are victims. What hope has any brown person got if they are a suspect in a case in this country.
"If they treat victims like this how do they treat suspects?"
Mr Sheehan said he was also "disgusted and appalled" that the police had apparently said publicly that no charges would be laid because Mrs Muliaga was a very sick woman.
He said the unnamed police source was quoted in The Press newspaper after police had earlier told him they would not comment publicly but then breached their own undertaking by doing so.
He said he was "furious" and did not want to speak yet to police about it but the family now wanted a fresh police team to take over the inquiry.
"I think the investigation is so compromised at this stage that it cannot possibly produce a fair and balanced report."
The officer in charge of the inquiry, Detective Inspector Jim Gallagher, refused to comment on the claims.
Racist comments by a senior detective do nothing to encourage Asians to come forward to report crime.
Senior detective Neil Grimstone commented to a conference on Chinese organised crime that some who could be 'blindfolded with a shoelace' couldn’t be trusted.
Counties Manukau police district commander, Superintendent Steve Shortland admitted Grimstone was under investigation.
But Shortland said Grimstone's remarks were "totally inappropriate and unacceptable" and defied police orders.
Muliaga family accuse police of racism
Police investigating the death of south Auckland woman Folole Muliaga have been accused of institutionalised racism by her family.
Family spokesman, Brenden Sheehan, said they were "hugely insensitive" and had shown "institutionalised racism" by not knowing how to deal with other cultures.
Mr Sheehan said he received a telephone message from police saying he was expecting one of Mrs Muliaga's sons to be interviewed with a lawyer present and "could he come down to the police station that day.
"Obviously I didn't return the call but it's outrageous. These people are victims. What hope has any brown person got if they are a suspect in a case in this country.
"If they treat victims like this how do they treat suspects?"
Mr Sheehan said he was also "disgusted and appalled" that the police had apparently said publicly that no charges would be laid because Mrs Muliaga was a very sick woman.
He said the unnamed police source was quoted in The Press newspaper after police had earlier told him they would not comment publicly but then breached their own undertaking by doing so.
He said he was "furious" and did not want to speak yet to police about it but the family now wanted a fresh police team to take over the inquiry.
"I think the investigation is so compromised at this stage that it cannot possibly produce a fair and balanced report."
The officer in charge of the inquiry, Detective Inspector Jim Gallagher, refused to comment on the claims.
Friday, 1 June 2007
Another case not being given due diligence - COA.
COA - Cover Our Asses
A woman who alleges she was sexually harassed while she was employed by New Zealand Police has had an application to take the matter straight to the Employment Court denied.
The woman, named only Ms C because she has name suppression, alleges she was harassed in various ways, mostly sexual, while she was employed by the police and it led to her being unjustifiably dismissed in June last year.
She applied to have her case removed from the Employment Relations Authority list and taken to the Employment Court on the grounds that it was of such a nature and urgency it was in the public interest to do so.
Ms C made links to Dame Margaret Bazley's damning report into police conduct and the high-profile trials of police officers.
However, Police Commissioner Howard Broad said Dame Margaret's report was not relevant to this case and it could be dealt with much less formally and at a lower cost by the ERA.
ERA member Greg Wood denied Ms C's application.
Policewatch Mrs C, ignore the protestations of the kangaroo bureaucracy, bring your story out publiclyto us, then that they who should be judged, are, and in full view!
Win, win, further cleansing of the barrel!
A woman who alleges she was sexually harassed while she was employed by New Zealand Police has had an application to take the matter straight to the Employment Court denied.
The woman, named only Ms C because she has name suppression, alleges she was harassed in various ways, mostly sexual, while she was employed by the police and it led to her being unjustifiably dismissed in June last year.
She applied to have her case removed from the Employment Relations Authority list and taken to the Employment Court on the grounds that it was of such a nature and urgency it was in the public interest to do so.
Ms C made links to Dame Margaret Bazley's damning report into police conduct and the high-profile trials of police officers.
However, Police Commissioner Howard Broad said Dame Margaret's report was not relevant to this case and it could be dealt with much less formally and at a lower cost by the ERA.
ERA member Greg Wood denied Ms C's application.
Policewatch Mrs C, ignore the protestations of the kangaroo bureaucracy, bring your story out publiclyto us, then that they who should be judged, are, and in full view!
Win, win, further cleansing of the barrel!
Office of the Commisioner - Tweaking
Police Commissioner's rule reviewed
The roles and responsibilities of the Police Commissioner could be in for a tweaking.
"A discussion document" on a proposed revamp of the police legislation suggests the Commissioner's role and powers be clarified. It also recommends clear boundaries be set regarding the relationship between the Commissioner and the Minister of Police.
Policewatch: Who is discussing this document?
Other proposals include amending the Privacy Act for more information sharing, making it compulsory for people to supply ID to police when requested, and strengthening police powers for dealing with groups or crowds.
Policewatch: Dealing with groups or crowds
Patched Gangs ( mongrel mob > boy scouts including the Police themselves fill this category)
Teenage parties alledgedly out of Control?
Fathers Coalition protests outside homes of corrupt Judges and lawyers?
Anti - war peaceniks outside Te Papa?
Review spokesman Superintendent Hamish McArdle says the document attempts to write the independence of the police into law. It also suggests giving the Police Commissioner the power to convene formal inquiries into his or her organisation. Currently this is solely restricted to the Minister of Police.
Mr McArdle is urging the public to make their opinions on the review known.
Policewatch Hamish how do we make our opinion known?
The roles and responsibilities of the Police Commissioner could be in for a tweaking.
"A discussion document" on a proposed revamp of the police legislation suggests the Commissioner's role and powers be clarified. It also recommends clear boundaries be set regarding the relationship between the Commissioner and the Minister of Police.
Policewatch: Who is discussing this document?
Other proposals include amending the Privacy Act for more information sharing, making it compulsory for people to supply ID to police when requested, and strengthening police powers for dealing with groups or crowds.
Policewatch: Dealing with groups or crowds
Patched Gangs ( mongrel mob > boy scouts including the Police themselves fill this category)
Teenage parties alledgedly out of Control?
Fathers Coalition protests outside homes of corrupt Judges and lawyers?
Anti - war peaceniks outside Te Papa?
Review spokesman Superintendent Hamish McArdle says the document attempts to write the independence of the police into law. It also suggests giving the Police Commissioner the power to convene formal inquiries into his or her organisation. Currently this is solely restricted to the Minister of Police.
Mr McArdle is urging the public to make their opinions on the review known.
Policewatch Hamish how do we make our opinion known?
Tuesday, 29 May 2007
Heavy Handed Police Again
This month police were criticised for not breaking up the party that led to the deaths of 16-year-olds Hannah Rossiter and Jane Young in Edgeware Road, Christchurch.
Now parents of teenagers at a party in Ladbrooks on Saturday night say police destroyed a "trouble-free" teenage party.
It was supervised by 23 adults – one of whom was arrested for assault – because parents wanted to avoid an Edgeware-style situation.
Parent Lisa Walker said the party for her son's and daughter's 18th and 16th birthdays respectively at Ladbrooks Hall, near Lincoln, was broken up by police in "flak jackets" who "marched in without speaking to anyone, formed a human chain at the back of the hall and herded everyone onto the street".
Walker said the police swore at children and adult supervisors, threatened them with pepper spray, and arrested one of the adults when he touched an officer's hat to get his attention.
The man spent a night in jail and was charged with assault.
Eight parents laid official complaints with police on Sunday.
Walker said in the wake of the Edgeware Road tragedy they decided the party would be strictly supervised.
Police seemed intent on relying on "heavy-handed" tactics, she said.
Five adults patrolled the only gate, children were stamped on entry and not let back out. Parents knew where their children were by invitations and phone calls through the week.
The party, which Walker had agreed with police would end at 1am, was shutting down when 14 police with two paddy wagons arrived at 12.40am.
"I said to them, 'Please don't cause trouble'. The kids were absolutely terrified."
Parent Jacqui Hudson said police behaviour inflamed the situation and endangered kids. "They were putting lives at risk."
Policewatch says: 1939 Brownshirts - 2007 Blueshirts
Now parents of teenagers at a party in Ladbrooks on Saturday night say police destroyed a "trouble-free" teenage party.
It was supervised by 23 adults – one of whom was arrested for assault – because parents wanted to avoid an Edgeware-style situation.
Parent Lisa Walker said the party for her son's and daughter's 18th and 16th birthdays respectively at Ladbrooks Hall, near Lincoln, was broken up by police in "flak jackets" who "marched in without speaking to anyone, formed a human chain at the back of the hall and herded everyone onto the street".
Walker said the police swore at children and adult supervisors, threatened them with pepper spray, and arrested one of the adults when he touched an officer's hat to get his attention.
The man spent a night in jail and was charged with assault.
Eight parents laid official complaints with police on Sunday.
Walker said in the wake of the Edgeware Road tragedy they decided the party would be strictly supervised.
Police seemed intent on relying on "heavy-handed" tactics, she said.
Five adults patrolled the only gate, children were stamped on entry and not let back out. Parents knew where their children were by invitations and phone calls through the week.
The party, which Walker had agreed with police would end at 1am, was shutting down when 14 police with two paddy wagons arrived at 12.40am.
"I said to them, 'Please don't cause trouble'. The kids were absolutely terrified."
Parent Jacqui Hudson said police behaviour inflamed the situation and endangered kids. "They were putting lives at risk."
Policewatch says: 1939 Brownshirts - 2007 Blueshirts
The Appeal Against Insanity or Heavy Handed Police
From the internet.
In October last year there was a protest against a Weapons Conference being held at Te Papa, our national museum, and referred to colloquially as “Our Place”. Only it is not the place of the New Zealand people for a few days a year, when Arms Dealers from all over the world congregate on this small area to work on sales of weapons.
On the first day of the protest I witnessed numerous assaults by members of New Zealand’s police force against peaceful protestors, all of which would have been recorded on CCTV, yet none of those assaults were investigated. I witnessed Andrzej Kowalczyk (head of the NZPD Strategic Response Group) pull a male by his dreads, I was hit in the face by another Police Officer, I was shoved around alot, I witnessed someone else’s glasses get broken, and a general breakdown of the New Zealand Police Force’s ordinarily strong ethics
On the next day, I was with a good friend of mine, manning a banner. We were standing within half a metre of the police lines, and had they wished to do so they would have had ample ability to engage with us in friendly conversation. They did not do this, and we continued to protest, occasionally chanting “Arms Trade, Death Trade,” amongst other slogans.
We were then told the protest was over and were moving to depart when my friend was grabbed by a Three Man Extraction Squad with no prior warning of what was occuring.
Based on the assaults and affray I had experienced and seen the Police engage in on the previous day I believed that my friend was being assaulted unlawfully by members of the police force, as neither I nor my friend had been given any prior warning or indication as to what was happening.
I then reacted instinctively to protect my friend against what I percieved to be unlawful excessive and violent action on the behalf of the NZPD Strategic Response Group, linked arms with him, and was dragged away and charged with one count of Obstructing Justice.
The following footage has captured Police in the act.
Watch the video for yourself, you be the judge:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2QAaClsMZg
Comment on the above also from the Internet
Ra Says: May 23rd, 2007 at 4:04 pm
I wonder if we as New Zealanders are willing to stand aside and allow this gang in blue to continue this sort of treatment.
I myself fell victim to rogue cop treatment when I saw a teenager in the middle of town getting mistreated.
I didnt know the kid but I did see how the ruckus had started and basically he was getting arrested for not moving on when being asked, sorry, when being told. The kid just chose the wrong time and the wrong cop to show defiance.Now the cops probably have the right to enforce this, (I’m no expert in the law but I imagine they’d label it loitering in a public space or unlawful congregation yadda yadda) but the level of force they used was excessive to say the least.
Being the only adult in the vacinity I walked over to a female cop standing aside. I asked her if she thought that the police officer with his full weight on one knee in the back of the teenager on the ground was a bit rough and she told me to mind my own business and move on.I took exception and pushed the issue then ended up asking for her badge number. Now I’m no expert in dealing with police but as far as I knew they have a serial type badge number on their shoulders. When I was trying to look for it she called another collegue over and told him they were gonna have trouble with me now. At the same time she squared up making it harder for me to see her serial number.I was under the impression they had to give it out when asked.
Cop number two then takes over and tells me if I dont move on I’ll get arrested, when I question what for he replies obstruction of justice and disturbing the peace. I’m 5 meters away from the guy being assaulted on the ground and I’m not interferring with the arresting officers in any way but I am presenting myself as a possible threat and hinderence so the two of them turn on me.
Now I’m no chicken but I’m not an idiot either, I didnt know the guy being arrested but I feel for the poor fucker but I back down anyway.There was no way I was getting arrested for this kid mistreatment of not.
I know now that I if the same situation came around I’d stand tall and back that kid up because that shit stuck with me for the past 2 years. I feel guilty even today for backing away from that female cop.
I know that when recruits go to join the police force the vast majority if them have good intentions and think they can make a difference. But I also know that after hearing stories from (someone that use to be) a very close friend of mine about some of the goings on at Porirua (the police training school) that it changes them to having a gang mentality.So there’s not much hope for changing the way police act unless you could change the way they are trained me thinks.
sux
- Ra
In October last year there was a protest against a Weapons Conference being held at Te Papa, our national museum, and referred to colloquially as “Our Place”. Only it is not the place of the New Zealand people for a few days a year, when Arms Dealers from all over the world congregate on this small area to work on sales of weapons.
On the first day of the protest I witnessed numerous assaults by members of New Zealand’s police force against peaceful protestors, all of which would have been recorded on CCTV, yet none of those assaults were investigated. I witnessed Andrzej Kowalczyk (head of the NZPD Strategic Response Group) pull a male by his dreads, I was hit in the face by another Police Officer, I was shoved around alot, I witnessed someone else’s glasses get broken, and a general breakdown of the New Zealand Police Force’s ordinarily strong ethics
On the next day, I was with a good friend of mine, manning a banner. We were standing within half a metre of the police lines, and had they wished to do so they would have had ample ability to engage with us in friendly conversation. They did not do this, and we continued to protest, occasionally chanting “Arms Trade, Death Trade,” amongst other slogans.
We were then told the protest was over and were moving to depart when my friend was grabbed by a Three Man Extraction Squad with no prior warning of what was occuring.
Based on the assaults and affray I had experienced and seen the Police engage in on the previous day I believed that my friend was being assaulted unlawfully by members of the police force, as neither I nor my friend had been given any prior warning or indication as to what was happening.
I then reacted instinctively to protect my friend against what I percieved to be unlawful excessive and violent action on the behalf of the NZPD Strategic Response Group, linked arms with him, and was dragged away and charged with one count of Obstructing Justice.
The following footage has captured Police in the act.
Watch the video for yourself, you be the judge:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2QAaClsMZg
Comment on the above also from the Internet
Ra Says: May 23rd, 2007 at 4:04 pm
I wonder if we as New Zealanders are willing to stand aside and allow this gang in blue to continue this sort of treatment.
I myself fell victim to rogue cop treatment when I saw a teenager in the middle of town getting mistreated.
I didnt know the kid but I did see how the ruckus had started and basically he was getting arrested for not moving on when being asked, sorry, when being told. The kid just chose the wrong time and the wrong cop to show defiance.Now the cops probably have the right to enforce this, (I’m no expert in the law but I imagine they’d label it loitering in a public space or unlawful congregation yadda yadda) but the level of force they used was excessive to say the least.
Being the only adult in the vacinity I walked over to a female cop standing aside. I asked her if she thought that the police officer with his full weight on one knee in the back of the teenager on the ground was a bit rough and she told me to mind my own business and move on.I took exception and pushed the issue then ended up asking for her badge number. Now I’m no expert in dealing with police but as far as I knew they have a serial type badge number on their shoulders. When I was trying to look for it she called another collegue over and told him they were gonna have trouble with me now. At the same time she squared up making it harder for me to see her serial number.I was under the impression they had to give it out when asked.
Cop number two then takes over and tells me if I dont move on I’ll get arrested, when I question what for he replies obstruction of justice and disturbing the peace. I’m 5 meters away from the guy being assaulted on the ground and I’m not interferring with the arresting officers in any way but I am presenting myself as a possible threat and hinderence so the two of them turn on me.
Now I’m no chicken but I’m not an idiot either, I didnt know the guy being arrested but I feel for the poor fucker but I back down anyway.There was no way I was getting arrested for this kid mistreatment of not.
I know now that I if the same situation came around I’d stand tall and back that kid up because that shit stuck with me for the past 2 years. I feel guilty even today for backing away from that female cop.
I know that when recruits go to join the police force the vast majority if them have good intentions and think they can make a difference. But I also know that after hearing stories from (someone that use to be) a very close friend of mine about some of the goings on at Porirua (the police training school) that it changes them to having a gang mentality.So there’s not much hope for changing the way police act unless you could change the way they are trained me thinks.
sux
- Ra
Sex And Drugs Claims, Yet No Investigation
Allegations that serving and former police officers were involved in crimes including rape and drug-taking will not be investigated by the Police Complaints Authority.
Investigate editor Ian Wishart, who wrote an article exposing an alleged seedy side of the Dunedin Police, renewed his call for a commission of inquiry into the claims, saying police investigating themselves was a "Mickey Mouse situation".
No one would make a formal complaint in a system that could not be trusted, he said. "There is a huge conflict of interest ... which was exactly the point of my article."
The Investigate magazine claimed that Dunedin police officers were involved in corruption, drug-taking, rape and child-sex rings, it also revealed that a pornographic film involving bestiality with a chicken was screened in 1981 in the Dunedin home of Howard Broad, now the Commissioner of Police.
Mr Broad has admitted the film was screened but said he was unaware it had happened until later.
Police Complaints Authority head Justice Lowell Goddard, QC, said yesterday that no claims from the magazine required investigation or action by the authority without specific complaints.
Policewatch says it past the time that a truly independant Authority be established rather than stakeholders under appointment.
Investigate editor Ian Wishart, who wrote an article exposing an alleged seedy side of the Dunedin Police, renewed his call for a commission of inquiry into the claims, saying police investigating themselves was a "Mickey Mouse situation".
No one would make a formal complaint in a system that could not be trusted, he said. "There is a huge conflict of interest ... which was exactly the point of my article."
The Investigate magazine claimed that Dunedin police officers were involved in corruption, drug-taking, rape and child-sex rings, it also revealed that a pornographic film involving bestiality with a chicken was screened in 1981 in the Dunedin home of Howard Broad, now the Commissioner of Police.
Mr Broad has admitted the film was screened but said he was unaware it had happened until later.
Police Complaints Authority head Justice Lowell Goddard, QC, said yesterday that no claims from the magazine required investigation or action by the authority without specific complaints.
Policewatch says it past the time that a truly independant Authority be established rather than stakeholders under appointment.
Another Police Chase Gone Wrong?
A youth is fighting for his life after a police chase and serious car crash in west Auckland last night.
Police chased two cars for between 10 and 20 seconds, before one of the vehicles, a Honda Prelude, veered across the centreline and smashed into a footpath, flipping twice.
The young driver - the father of a three-month-old baby - is believed to be in a serious condition in hospital with head and lung injuries.
The other car stopped at the scene and police said its occupants were helping them with their inquiries. One of those occupants, Brendon King, 19, said the two cars were not racing and had been cruising together at 70km/h.
However, he said his friend, who was driving the other car, overtook the other car shortly before the crash.
"I got out and ran up to see if (the driver) was OK, and he was still in the car but blood was coming out of his face. Another passenger was lying on the ground, saying his heart hurt."
King said the crash wouldn't have happened if police had backed off.
Police would not confirm the vehicle speeds before or during the chase, except to say they were "well in excess of the speed limit". Several police vehicles were on the scene within seconds.
The Serious Crash Unit is investigating, but the Police Complaints Authority was not involved at this stage, said a spokesman.
A Herald on Sunday photographer was arrested at the scene as he attempted to take photographs.
Police chased two cars for between 10 and 20 seconds, before one of the vehicles, a Honda Prelude, veered across the centreline and smashed into a footpath, flipping twice.
The young driver - the father of a three-month-old baby - is believed to be in a serious condition in hospital with head and lung injuries.
The other car stopped at the scene and police said its occupants were helping them with their inquiries. One of those occupants, Brendon King, 19, said the two cars were not racing and had been cruising together at 70km/h.
However, he said his friend, who was driving the other car, overtook the other car shortly before the crash.
"I got out and ran up to see if (the driver) was OK, and he was still in the car but blood was coming out of his face. Another passenger was lying on the ground, saying his heart hurt."
King said the crash wouldn't have happened if police had backed off.
Police would not confirm the vehicle speeds before or during the chase, except to say they were "well in excess of the speed limit". Several police vehicles were on the scene within seconds.
The Serious Crash Unit is investigating, but the Police Complaints Authority was not involved at this stage, said a spokesman.
A Herald on Sunday photographer was arrested at the scene as he attempted to take photographs.
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