The Police watchdog has ruled officers who used sponge rounds during the arrest of a high-risk offender in Invercargill last year - were justified

The Armed Offenders Squad were arresting a man last July, after Police intercepted a package of Class A drugs.

He fled on foot.

When officers found him down a hole, they thought he was loading a shotgun - and an officer fired two sponge rounds at him.

He suffered cartilage fractures to three ribs.

IPCA Chair, Judge Kenneth Johnston says although the officer was wrong about the shotgun, the board accepts it was a reasonable perception.