Documentary about the killing of John Morgan and Paul Chase by the New Zealand Police. The circumstances of the police chasing and killing of John Morgan are explained. Witness Bruce Jackson talks about hearing shots, and running to investigate where he was confronted by police and told to leave. A police spokesperson says that in the circumstances there was no other way out of it. The witnesses wife says that the police had no right to shoot him as there were many police in attendance. Dennis Asher, Paul Chase Public Inquiry Committee explains that police took no disciplinary action, and an inquest resulted in a report that the policeman acted in self defence.
John Morgan’s sister explains that the police inquiry was a whitewash. She explains that according to the DSIR report her brother’s shoe was shot at by a 38 calibre bullet, however the hole made in the shoe fits a 223/222 rifle bullet. John Morgan’s sister says that a marksman was shot at before the incident with the axe. Asher explains that the internal inquiry did not satisfy anomalies with information regarding bullets shot during the incident. John Morgan’s sister comments that the family were powerless as they did not have the money to fight the case, and had no support from the media who chose to sensationalize the story.
Dennis Asher explains the case of the shooting of Paul Chase four months after Morgan. The armed defenders squad was called out to investigate a shooting incident. The armed defenders squad were also trained as an anti-terrorist squad. They used the ‘room clearing’ technique that uses surprise to force entry, which contravenes police regulations. Paul Chase was at home with his wife and child, and expected to be visited by gang members at the shooting incident so he put a barrier against the door. Police killed him with a soft-nosed bullet from a magnum pistol.
Ken Thompson, Police Commissioner, is interviewed regarding the fact that there was criticism the inquiry was handled by the police rather than an impartial team. Man speaks at a Public Meeting held in Lower Hutt regarding fellow worker’s reactions. A Maori man speaks about how Maori wardens help each other, and people don’t need to be shot. Leon Chase, Paul Chase’s uncle speaks, thanking the organizations that have helped. Lawyer Colin Nicholson speaks about being asked to act as an independent examiner. A delegation from the public meeting went to see Ben Couch, Minister of Police. Ben Couch is interviewed by news teams. A priest [Reverend Charles Waldegrave] is interviewed about the chances of getting a public inquiry.
A woman from second home raided talks about armed defenders squad raid on family home. Asher talks about Police setting up situation where death is inevitable. Paul Chase Inquiry Committee attended hui at the Marae in Te Teko of Chase’s immediate family. Manu Paul, District Maori Council talks about the District Council in Wellington having no position. Karakia is said around Chase’s grave side.
Two months later the report by Auckland QC Colin Nicholson, concluding the police were right to use the Armed Defenders Squad, and that they are not gun happy. Paul Chase Committee talk about the shortcomings of the report. Paul Chase’s father says that the situation should be used to right the wrongs. A meeting with the Minister of the Police and the Paul Chase Committee is held. Ben Couch is interviewed, saying the case was closed.
The Coroner finds that the policeman believed his life was in danger. A Maori man says that the inquiry was a whitewash. Flowers are placed on Paul Chase’s grave. Rules on use of fire arms are read as a voiceover.