LL:PR: MEDIA RELEASE - WA POLICE

[Deaths In Custody Watch Commitee (WA) Inc.]

media release
DEATHS IN CUSTODY WATCH COMMITTEE (WA) Inc.
        
119 MATHIESON RD        ASCOT WA 6104
Tel:    61 (0)8 9277 1533       Fax:    61 (0)8 9478 4204
E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]       
URL:    http://www.omen.net.au/~dicwc

Friday, 9 April 1999

Watch Committee Supports ALS Claims of Police Brutality

The Deaths In Custody Watch Committee today supported 
evidence given by Dennis Eggington, of the Aboriginal Legal 
Service, to the Parliamentary Committee on Crime Prevention, 
where he claimed police brutality towards Aboriginal juveniles in 
WA is commonplace.

"The Watch Committee frequently receives calls from 
distressed relatives who claim ill treatment of Aboriginal 
juveniles whilst in police custody.  These complaints vary from 
police failing to inform young people of their rights, to actual 
physical assault." Said Kath Mallott, Executive Officer.

"We always refer these complainants to the Aboriginal Legal 
Service, in order to ensure urgent legal representation for the 
young person involved."

             ---------------oo0oo-----------------

WA Police Shooting:     Where are the Non Lethal Options?

The Deaths In Custody Watch Committee today questioned the 
police shooting of a man at Armidale last night.  The man 
sustained injury to the lower body.

"It is over four years since TRG police officers shot and killed 
Ray Gould, in a hail of bullets outside the WA Cricket Ground.  
Following the inquest into Mr Gould's death, the Coroner 
recommended that the WA Police Service develop non-lethal 
options when attempting to apprehend armed offenders."  Said 
Kath Mallott, Executive Officer of the Watch Committee.

"Whilst fortunately, this latest use of firearms has not resulted in 
a fatality, it is timely to question what progress the WA Police 
Service has made, in equipping and training officers in the use 
of non-lethal options."

"The best non-lethal option is negotiation.  Have all WA Police 
Officers received training that will develop and improve 
negotiation skills?"  "If not, why not?"



Media contact:  Kath Mallott:  work  08 92771533  or 
                                             mobile  0419930375

To monitor and work to ensure the effective implementation of 
the recommendations of the Royal Commission Into Aboriginal 
Deaths In Custody



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