Police have launched an internal review after admitting that they could have better handled an incident involving a man inciting violence near a Christchurch mosque on Wednesday.
It comes after the man was arrested and charged after hurling abuse at Muslims outside Al Noor Mosque on Deans Avenue.
The man had been seen speaking with a police officer before leaving the scene, but no arrests were made at the time of the incident.
The 33-year-old pleaded guilty in the Christchurch District Court today over charges of disorderly behaviour likely to incite violence.
The man was arrested after police received information from members of the public identifying him.
Worshippers at the mosque on Deans Avenue, one of the sites of last month's Christchurch terrorist attack, were left shaken after allegedly being abused by a man wearing a Trump t-shirt.
In a statement, Canterbury District Commander Superintendent John Price told 1 NEWS, "It is my view that we could have dealt with this matter in a better way."
"If people behave in an abhorrent way to others in our community, then the expectation is clearly that they are held to account," he said.
"As such, I have initiated an internal review into our response.
"As part of that review, we have taken statements from many members of the community who were at the mosque at the time of the incident, regarding both the behaviour of the man involved and the police officer."
Mr Price said he has since met with the leaders of both Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Mosque to express his concerns over the handling of the incident.
"Police come to work every day to ensure everyone will be safe and feel safe. I remain proud of the response and follow up investigation into the terror attack on the 15th March and our community should be proud of the police action."
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