The police watchdog has found an officer used excessive force removing a man from a patrol car in Waihi

In the 2019 incident the uncooperative man was struck four times as the officers attempted to get him out a car for an evidential breath test.

The officer then knelt on his shoulder, before moving his knee on the man's head.

He is undergoing treatment for shoulder pain - attributed to the event.

Police says force is the last resort, and both officers had the best intentions.

An officer who was found to have used handcuffs incorrectly has been given training.