Police unlawfully detained two women and three young children after an armed call out in Mangere, the complaints body has found.
An Independent Police Conduct Authority report released today says the women were given no explanation about their rights and options during the attempted arrest of a man in Mangere two years ago.
They thought they had to stay in police vehicles with their children, with police treating them in such a way they thought they were detained.
The IPCA says there was no lawful justification for detaining them that long.
In the same incident police shot at a man who they thought had a shot gun, which the authority found was justified under the circumstances.
Counties Manukau Police accepted the findings of a report and say they've learnt valuable lessons.
Counties Manukau District Commander John Tims says he's pleased that the way they dealt with the offender was found to be justified.
"There are some lessons that we need to learn about dealing with witnesses after such a violent event, and we've taken that on board."
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