Ms. Quirk questions the procedures for dealing with Indigenous people in custody who don't speak English, particularly regarding medical conditions. Mr. Johnson's responses are challenged by Ms. Quirk, highlighting a potential gap in understanding or procedure.

AnsweredQoN 65Legislative Assembly
Asked
23 February 2011
Portfolio
Police

QuestionView source ↗

MR PHILLIPS — DEATH IN CUSTODY
I have a supplementary question. The minister did not answer my question about the special measures that exist for dealing with Indigenous people in lockups who do not speak English and also about the general procedures that exist for police assessing medical conditions. Mr R.F. JOHNSON

AnswerView source ↗

As I understand it, if there is any concern about a medical condition, or if an interpreter is needed in a situation as proposed by the member — Ms M.M. Quirk : I didn’t propose that; I asked what the existing procedures are. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : As far as I am aware, the existing procedures are that if an interpreter is needed, an interpreter will be brought in; and, if the officers are made aware of a medical condition, obviously a general practitioner or a medical — Ms M.M. Quirk : How can they be made aware of it if the person cannot speak English? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I understand that if the person cannot speak English, under their guidelines, they need to call in somebody who can interpret for the person who is in custody.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: As I understand it, if there is any concern about a medical condition, or if an interpreter is needed in a situation as proposed by the member — Ms M.M. Quirk : I didn’t propose that; I asked what the existing procedures are. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : As far as I am aware, the existing procedures are that if an interpreter is needed, an interpreter will be brought in; and, if the officers are made aware of a medical condition, obviously a general practitioner or a medical — Ms M.M. Quirk : How can they be made aware of it if the person cannot speak English? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I understand that if the person cannot speak English, under their guidelines, they need to call in somebody who can interpret for the person who is in custody.
As I understand it, if there is any concern about a medical condition, or if an interpreter is needed in a situation as proposed by the member — Ms M.M. Quirk : I didn’t propose that; I asked what the existing procedures are. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : As far as I am aware, the existing procedures are that if an interpreter is needed, an interpreter will be brought in; and, if the officers are made aware of a medical condition, obviously a general practitioner or a medical — Ms M.M. Quirk : How can they be made aware of it if the person cannot speak English? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I understand that if the person cannot speak English, under their guidelines, they need to call in somebody who can interpret for the person who is in custody.
Ms M.M. Quirk : I didn’t propose that; I asked what the existing procedures are. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : As far as I am aware, the existing procedures are that if an interpreter is needed, an interpreter will be brought in; and, if the officers are made aware of a medical condition, obviously a general practitioner or a medical — Ms M.M. Quirk : How can they be made aware of it if the person cannot speak English? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I understand that if the person cannot speak English, under their guidelines, they need to call in somebody who can interpret for the person who is in custody.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : As far as I am aware, the existing procedures are that if an interpreter is needed, an interpreter will be brought in; and, if the officers are made aware of a medical condition, obviously a general practitioner or a medical — Ms M.M. Quirk : How can they be made aware of it if the person cannot speak English? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I understand that if the person cannot speak English, under their guidelines, they need to call in somebody who can interpret for the person who is in custody.
Ms M.M. Quirk : How can they be made aware of it if the person cannot speak English? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I understand that if the person cannot speak English, under their guidelines, they need to call in somebody who can interpret for the person who is in custody.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I understand that if the person cannot speak English, under their guidelines, they need to call in somebody who can interpret for the person who is in custody.

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