New Zealand Police Develop Prototype Restraint Chair Following Inquest into Death of Jaye Taueli

A coronial inquest in Auckland has revealed that New Zealand police are developing a prototype for a new restraint chair with enhanced head protection following the death of 21-year-old Jaye Taueli. Taueli died in August 2021 after a series of violent head movements while restrained in a police cell, sparking a critical review of custodial care for detainees who are suicidal or under the influence of drugs.

The Incident: Custody and Restraint

Jaye Taueli was arrested on August 30, 2021, for breaching electronically monitored bail while facing sexual assault charges. Upon arrest, officers noted signs of methamphetamine use. After Taueli began banging his head against the walls and door of his cell and appeared to attempt to strangle himself, officers placed him in a restraint chair.

While secured in the chair, Taueli forcefully thrashed his head back and forth more than 160 times before losing consciousness. He died the following day, August 31, 2021, at Middlemore Hospital.

Medical Findings and Cause of Death

The inquest featured testimony from medical experts to determine whether the restraint chair itself caused the fatality. Scottish neuropathologist Dr. Colin Smith testified that the biomechanics of the head injury—specifically the fact that the head was not impacting a truly solid object—meant the thrashing alone would not typically cause blood vessels to rupture.

However, Dr. Smith noted a lethal combination of factors:

• Pre-existing Condition: Taueli had a malformed blood vessel in his brain.
• Physiological Stress: The use of methamphetamine, combined with extreme agitation and vigorous head movement, likely elevated his blood pressure.
• The Result: This spike in blood pressure caused the malformed vessel to rupture.

While pharmacologist Dr. Macdonald Christie testified that the levels of methamphetamine found in Taueli were low and insufficient on their own to cause blood pressure spikes, the overall physiological strain contributed to the fatal event.

IPCA Findings and Duty of Care

A 2023 investigation by the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) provided a nuanced view of the police response. The IPCA found that the decision to use the restraint chair was justified given the circumstances. However, the authority concluded that police failed in their duty of care, stating that less forceful and less intrusive options should have been exhausted before resorting to the chair.

Systemic Changes and New Safety Prototypes

In response to the tragedy, Inspector Jana Dale Peterson, who manages custody units nationwide, outlined several improvements to police protocol and equipment:

Enhanced Training

All custody officers are now required to undergo specific training in the use of restraint chairs. Custody supervisors receive ongoing face-to-face training to ensure safer implementation of these measures.

The Prototype Restraint Chair

Police are currently developing a prototype for a new restraint chair designed to minimize head movement. The design includes a bespoke cushion for the top end of the chair, ensuring that when a detainee is strapped in, their head presses against the cushion, significantly limiting the ability to thrash.

Improved Monitoring

New guidelines have been implemented to improve the monitoring of detainees who are identified as suicidal, aiming to prevent self-harm and accidental injury during restraint.

Coroner’s Conclusion

Coroner Tania Tetitaha acknowledged the extreme difficulty police face when managing detainees who are simultaneously suicidal, under the influence of drugs, and potentially suffering from hidden medical conditions. She noted that such combinations present challenges that even medical professionals would struggle to manage.