Piercing-removal lands police in court
A woman says police used bolt cutters to remove five piercings from her body - including one in her genital area.
The woman is suing a Christchurch policewoman, who allegedly cut the piercings, for $150,000.
"The woman alleges the policewoman removed her piercings after she was taken into custody for obstruction in mid-2008, a charge she was acquitted of in early 2009," The Press newspaper reported.
"The complainant, believed to be in her 30s, is suing the officer for abuse of her position, unlawful sexual connection, trespass to the person and breaching the Bill of Rights."
Her lawyer, Tony Greig, said his client was not concerned about money.
The woman wanted only acknowledgement that the action was unacceptable.
"She just doesn't want the same thing to happen to other people," Mr Greig said.
Piercing professional Jeremy Spivey said he had replaced piercings for people who had had them removed by police, The Press said.
Mr Spivey believed the practice was aimed at preventing self-harm.
"He said police were 'quite brutal' about cutting off his own ear-piercing after he was arrested for drunk and disorderly behaviour last year," the newspaper said.
