Purpose:
The purpose of this briefing note is to present options and recommendations to prevent the increasing rate of Aboriginal deaths in police custody. Baker and Cussen’s (2015) deaths in custody analysis, illustrates an increase in Aboriginal deaths in police custody; specifically in Western Australia and Queensland. In the last six months, this has been confirmed by media reports on New South Wales experiencing their first Aboriginal death in custody in 16 years (Gerthing, 2016). The main issues found linked to recent deaths are intoxication and police failings as a result of being overworked
Background:
Aboriginal deaths in police custody have been a significant issue since 1987 which called for The Royal Commission to investigate …show more content…
In the case of the Western Australia death in police custody, inquests found that the result of poor police work, failures to follow guidelines and cell check procedures were in part, the cause of the female’s death (Jones, 2016). The New South Wales female Aboriginal death in police custody also allowed for criticism against the police. This female was also arrested for intoxication; however, the Aboriginal Legal Services has accused New South Wales police of failing to comply with protocols as the service was not contacted when the Aboriginal was taken into custody (Gerthing, 2016).
Key Considerations:
Total recorded deaths in police custody are in line with historical levels from 1990. Comparing states and territories, Western Australia and Queensland have higher rates of deaths in police custody despite smaller populations (Baker & Cussen, 2015). Indigenous deaths in police custody have been found to be the result of natural causes and external/multiple traumas (Baker & Cussen, 2015). The recent deaths in Australia have been linked with intoxication and failings of police duties (Gerthing, 2016; Jones, 2016).
The purpose of this briefing note is to present options and recommendations to prevent the increasing rate of Aboriginal deaths in police custody. Baker and Cussen’s (2015) deaths in custody analysis, illustrates an increase in Aboriginal deaths in police custody; specifically in Western Australia and Queensland. In the last six months, this has been confirmed by media reports on New South Wales experiencing their first Aboriginal death in custody in 16 years (Gerthing, 2016). The main issues found linked to recent deaths are intoxication and police failings as a result of being overworked
Background:
Aboriginal deaths in police custody have been a significant issue since 1987 which called for The Royal Commission to investigate …show more content…
In the case of the Western Australia death in police custody, inquests found that the result of poor police work, failures to follow guidelines and cell check procedures were in part, the cause of the female’s death (Jones, 2016). The New South Wales female Aboriginal death in police custody also allowed for criticism against the police. This female was also arrested for intoxication; however, the Aboriginal Legal Services has accused New South Wales police of failing to comply with protocols as the service was not contacted when the Aboriginal was taken into custody (Gerthing, 2016).
Key Considerations:
Total recorded deaths in police custody are in line with historical levels from 1990. Comparing states and territories, Western Australia and Queensland have higher rates of deaths in police custody despite smaller populations (Baker & Cussen, 2015). Indigenous deaths in police custody have been found to be the result of natural causes and external/multiple traumas (Baker & Cussen, 2015). The recent deaths in Australia have been linked with intoxication and failings of police duties (Gerthing, 2016; Jones, 2016).