The Police watchdog's found a Motueka officer was justified to drive his patrol car into an armed man

Two officers were called to a carpark in March last year, after a man was seen pointing a pistol at others.

He was pepper sprayed, before a third officer drove into the man and knocked him to the ground.

The IPCA says this was justified due to the firearm involved - and the man was hit by the car at less than 10 kilometres an hour.

It believes the officer driving should've communicated better over the Police radio - as he failed to say when he would arrive.

Police welcome the findings.