Cameron Doomadgee (Mulrunji), an Indigenous Australian who resided on Palm Island, died in police custody only hours after being arrested for allegedly being drunk and a public nuisance. The injuries and circumstances that surrounded and lead to his death in 2004 sparked riots and repercussions within the community, as well as repercussions on legal and political levels years later. Police discretion and attitudes are a legitimate aspect of policing and a major factor in Indigenous arrests Cunneen and Libesman (1995). This paper will utilise the Doomadgee case, research findings, academic commentaries and other evidence, in assessing weather police discretionary decisions work against the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
