DEATHS IN CUSTODY WATCH COMMITTEE (WA) Inc. 119 MATHIESON RD ASCOT WA 6104 Tel: 61(0)8 9277-1533 Mobile: 041993-0375 Fax: 61(0)8 9478-4204 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] URL: http://www.omen.net.au/~dicwc Patron: Elder Dr Jack Davis, AO, MBE Tuesday, 9 November 1999 Police shooting: Call for drug and alcohol screening of police. Following the tragic death of a hitch hiker, who was shot dead by police near Port Hedland in Western Australia yesterday, The Deaths In Custody Watch Committee has called for the officers involved to be immediately screened for any drug and alcohol use. "This is in keeping with the Coronial recommendations which followed the shooting of a man on Bondi Beach in New South Wales and is now ensconced in the Police Standing Orders in that State." Said Kath Mallott, Executive Officer of the Watch Committee. "This should not be seen as levelling accusations against the officers involved but should be normal standard police practice following a death which has occurred as a result of police actions." "We would also question what training these two young officers have received in the use of non-lethal force? It was one of the recommendations of the WA Coroner following the police shooting death of Ray Gould five years ago, that all police officers should receive such training." "Press reports of this latest shooting show that the victim had been behaving in an erratic fashion for at least 24 hours, with police reports of stones being thrown at passing cars. In view of police being aware of this, we would question what preparation was made, prior to police approaching the scene, in order to ensure that the alleged offender was apprehended in a manner that would reduce any risk of harm to both officers and the alleged offender?" Said Ms Mallott. Media Contact: Kath Mallott 08 9277-1533 041993-0375 Glenn Shaw 08 9265-6960 Deaths In Custody Watch Committee (WA) Inc) 119 Mathieson Road, REDCLIFFE, Western Australia, 6104 "The beginning of the cause of deaths in custody does not occur within the confines of police and prison cells or in the minds of the victims. Initially it starts in the minds of those who allow it to happen." Elder Dr. Jack Davis (OA, MBE) * [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.omen.net.au/~dicwc * -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton/index.html Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
LL:PR: Police shooting: Call for drug and alcohol screening of police
Deaths In Custody Watch Commitee (WA) Inc. Wed, 10 Nov 1999 08:59:04 +0800
