❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks information on WA Police's policy and practice regarding public statements about deaths in custody since June 2015, including specific incidents and statistics. The response clarifies the existing MOU and provides details on statements made.
AnsweredQoN 4557Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) I refer to the response to Question on Notice No. 4166, (4) and (5), from the Minister for Corrective Services in which he states that the WA Police advise the public of a death in custody, please table the statement from WA Police about the death in custody at Bandyup Women's Prison on 15 June 2015. If a statement has not been made, please explain why WA Police has not provided a statement.? (2) Has WA Police released a statement about the death in custody at Casuarina Prison in August 2015? If so, please table this statement. If not, please explain why? (3) Please provide the wording of the policy announcing to the public when a death in custody occurs, detailing which department and which official is responsible for these announcements? (4) Has this policy been updated in the last year? If so, provide the date it was updated and the previous policy wording? (5) Has WA Police released a statement about the death in custody in Lockridge at the end of August? If so, please table this statement. If not, please explain why? (6) With reference to deaths in custody including prisons, lock-ups and police operations: (a) how many deaths have occurred in WA since the beginning of June 2015 (please give the dates each death occurred); and (b) how many of these deaths are Aboriginal people?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
20 October 2015
Responded by
Minister for Police
Response time
34 days
(1)
There is no legislative requirement for WA Police and the Department of Corrective Services (DCS) to release a statement on the occasion of a death in custody. However, a memorandum of understanding (MOU), between WA Police and DCS, states
an initial statement be released by DCS stating there has been a death in custody, and that death will now be investigated by WA Police and referred to the Coroner.
WA Police and DCS are currently reviewing the MOU.
(2)
No. Please refer to (1).
(3)
Please refer to (1).
(4)
No. Please refer to (1).
(5)
WA Police issued two statements in relation to the Lockridge incident:
Editors/COS
In relation to the incident in Lockridge which occurred last night (Saturday 29 August 2015), police would like to speak with a male who left the scene prior to police arrival.
Anyone with information are asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Editors/COS
Police are investigating an incident in Lockridge where a man believed to be in his thirties has died.
At about 9:15pm, Police were called to an address on Altone Road where a 50 year old man has confronted two males at his address. One of the males fled on foot and the other male became involved in an altercation with the man who was able to restrain him until police arrived.
The man restrained was provided medical assistance and taken to Swan Districts Hospital for treatment. He later died.
Coronial Investigation Unit will later take carriage of the investigation and prepare a report for the Coroner.
Note: As more information is authorised for release this will be facilitated by Police Media.
(6)
(a) No deaths have occurred in police custody since June 2015.
(b) Not applicable.
There is no legislative requirement for WA Police and the Department of Corrective Services (DCS) to release a statement on the occasion of a death in custody. However, a memorandum of understanding (MOU), between WA Police and DCS, states
an initial statement be released by DCS stating there has been a death in custody, and that death will now be investigated by WA Police and referred to the Coroner.
WA Police and DCS are currently reviewing the MOU.
(2)
No. Please refer to (1).
(3)
Please refer to (1).
(4)
No. Please refer to (1).
(5)
WA Police issued two statements in relation to the Lockridge incident:
Editors/COS
In relation to the incident in Lockridge which occurred last night (Saturday 29 August 2015), police would like to speak with a male who left the scene prior to police arrival.
Anyone with information are asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Editors/COS
Police are investigating an incident in Lockridge where a man believed to be in his thirties has died.
At about 9:15pm, Police were called to an address on Altone Road where a 50 year old man has confronted two males at his address. One of the males fled on foot and the other male became involved in an altercation with the man who was able to restrain him until police arrived.
The man restrained was provided medical assistance and taken to Swan Districts Hospital for treatment. He later died.
Coronial Investigation Unit will later take carriage of the investigation and prepare a report for the Coroner.
Note: As more information is authorised for release this will be facilitated by Police Media.
(6)
(a) No deaths have occurred in police custody since June 2015.
(b) Not applicable.
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