A complaint about use of force in a Christchurch custody suite has been partially upheld

The Independent Police Conduct Authority says officers were justified using reasonable force to transfer a man between cells, but some of it was excessive.

In 2020, a man was in a holding cell after breaching his bail conditions.

A police officer believing he was about to attack pulled him to the ground, and a violent struggle ensued.

The IPCA found the officer's initial hits were justified, but strong blows to the man's head while he was pinned to the ground, were beyond necessary.

Police have acknowledged the findings.