A Police officer was justified in punching a teen in the face in Tokoroa, in May last year

An officer signalled the 16 year old to stop but he resisted arrest, so the officer tried to pull him out of the car by grabbing his clothing.

The youth appeared to reach under his jumper, where he had a glass cannabis bong, but fearing it was a weapon, the officer punched him twice in the face with low force.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority found it was reasonable to consider there could have been a weapon.

Police accept the findings.