The Police watchdog's ruled officers used too much force when they handcuffed two children in Napier - unjustifiably

Police came across a distressed 11-year-old girl - then her 12-year-old brother - in November last year.

Police arrested the boy, and when a database search showed he was subject to a custody order, they handcuffed both siblings and took them to Oranga Tamariki.

There, the girl spat at an officer, and was grabbed by the throat momentarily and pushed headfirst into a wall.

The IPCA says that was excessive, and Police had no lawful grounds for detaining the children.

Police acknowledge the findings.