A woman who died in police custody in Christchurch on Monday morning had earlier been tasered.
At around 1am on Monday, August 25, police attended an address in Rakaia after receiving reports of an intoxicated woman in possession of a knife, who was reportedly hurting herself and threatening harm to others.
“Faced with a tense and dangerous situation, and after unsuccessful appeals for the weapon to be put down, police tasered the woman.”
She was then arrested and taken to the custody site in Christchurch, where she was assessed by a doctor shortly after 4am.
At around 6.50am, the woman was located unresponsive in her cell, police said.
“Police immediately notified St John and officers also provided medical assistance.”
Attempts to revive the woman were unsuccessful.
“Her death has been referred to the Coroner and the Independent Police Conduct Authority.
