Police response to IPCA findings

Police notes today’s Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) findings in relation to the death of Dwayne Walters in May 2015.

Mr Walters died in a cell at Papakura District Court on 4 May 2015. A police officer found Mr Walters in the cell with an item of clothing tied tightly around his neck and secured to a tap within the cell. First aid was immediately administered, but sadly Mr Walters was not able to be resuscitated.

The IPCA found that a significant contributing factor in Mr Walters’ death was the poor conditions of the Court cell in which he was detained. The IPCA raised its concerns about the cell with the Ministry of Justice, which has since undertaken a significant programme of work to remedy identified deficiencies in Court cells around New Zealand.

With regard to Police actions on the day of Mr Walters’ death, the IPCA found that Police generally acted appropriately and provided an acceptable level of care, based on what Mr Walters’ risk of self-harm was perceived to be.

“While the IPCA did identify some shortcomings around the recording and notification of an earlier suicide threat made by Mr Walters, I note that the IPCA has concluded that none of those shortcomings amounted to misconduct or neglect of duty by Police,” says Assistant Commissioner: Districts Allan Boreham.

“Since Mr Walters’ death, Counties Manukau Police has made a number of changes to processes in the District Custody Unit to prevent any reoccurrence. This includes how the mental and physical health of people detained by Police is evaluated, and how this information accompanies that person throughout their journey from the time of their arrest to release. These new standards and requirements are now in place nationally for all places that Police hold people.”

In addition to its findings in relation to Mr Walters’ death, the IPCA has made a number of recommendations in relation to Police policy around notification of suicidal tendencies. These are being considered by Police.

ENDS

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