The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found that officers did not use excessive force when dealing with a Whakamarama woman whose partner was concerned she was trying to commit suicide.

Within the limits of their training, they acted in a way that they thought was necessary to ensure her welfare, says a report released today.

Just after 5pm on November 10, 2018, police received a 111 call from a man seeking assistance and who reported his belief that his distressed partner had tried to commit suicide.

The first officer to arrive tried to persuade the woman, who had just got out of the shower, to get dressed so he could talk to her.

When she shut herself in her bedroom he was concerned that she might be trying to harm herself again, so entered the room. The woman tried to run out of the room, wrapped only in a towel, the IPCA report says.

The woman bit the officer's arm when he tried to stop her from running off and he hit her on the head in an attempt to get her to release her bite.

A struggle ensued and the woman was pepper sprayed before being handcuffed.

In the course of the struggle the woman's towel fell off, the report says.

Two more officers then arrived at the scene, including a female officer, who wrapped the woman in a blanket and took her to hospital.

The woman was traumatised by the incident and complained to the Authority, making a number of allegations about excessive use of force.

The Authority has not upheld these complaints.

"Police continue to frequently be first responders for emergencies involving people experiencing mental health episodes," says Authority Chair Judge Colin Doherty.

"They are required to assist in performing a health function that does not sit comfortably with their predominant law enforcement function.

"This is despite officers commonly lacking the skills and strategies to deal with mentally impaired people in a way that effectively reduces their mental distress and de-escalates the situation."

Western Bay of Plenty area commander Inspector Clifford Paxton says he supports the actions of the officers involved.

'As police, we have a duty of care to protect life and safety.

"Our officers were protecting this woman and ensuring her safety.”