Two Christchurch police officers drove at unjustified speeds during a follow operation that ended with a stolen car being struck by a train and a train driver suffering a spinal injury, the Independent Police Conduct Authority has found.

The incident happened at 3:55am on October 17, 2023, when an officer on patrol in Upper Riccarton recognised the registration plate of one of two cars passing him as stolen.

Both cars sped away without being signalled to stop.

A second officer, a dog handler identified in the report only as Officer B, joined the follow on Blenheim Road.

CCTV footage showed the two suspect cars travelling at average speeds of 144 kilometres per hour and 137 kilometres per hour along one stretch of road, while Officer B averaged 106 kilometres per hour behind them in heavy rain.

The cars eventually crossed a railway level crossing in the central city.

The second car was struck by a train and shunted sideways. The 15 year old driver, who was alone in the car, was not injured.

The train driver suffered a spinal injury.

The IPCA found the first officer, identified as Officer A, was not justified in driving above the speed limit without lights or sirens.

It also found Officer B’s high speed driving was unjustified from the Wharenui Road intersection onwards, given the wet roads, poor visibility, and the fact a formal pursuit had not been authorised.

“The threat created by Officer B’s own driving was disproportionate to any benefit he could achieve through providing intelligence to other officers,” the report said.

A third officer, identified as Officer D, was found to have been justified in attempting to deploy road spikes, as he genuinely believed the drivers were fleeing to avoid arrest.

However, the watchdog found his chosen position offered no solid protective cover, which was dangerous and breached policy.

Police have acknowledged the IPCA’s findings.

Canterbury District Commander Superintendent Tony Hill said staff had since undergone additional training.

“Staff have undergone additional training regarding travelling at any speed above the speed limit, and even when not in a pursuit, it should be treated with the same risk management,” Hill said.

“Police engage in urgent duty driving daily, and we continue to take learnings from every instance.”

Hill also acknowledged the train driver injured in the collision.

“We would also like to acknowledge the train driver who received spinal injuries as a result of colliding with the stolen car,” he said.

The 15 year old driver was later found at a friend’s address, charged with driving and property offences, and completed a Youth Court process.

The IPCA also raised broader concerns about police policies governing how officers respond to fleeing drivers, saying they may not be fit for purpose.

It said it intended to invite police to jointly re examine the policies, in a process likely to result in a separate standalone report.