The Authority oversaw a Police investigation into allegations an Authorised Officer failed to care for a detainee within the custody suite of a Police station in Eastern District.
The Authorised Officer was serving dinner in the custody suite when the detainee complained that they had a sore stomach and had been passing blood. The detainee requested to see a doctor, which the Authorised Officer refused. The acting supervisor learnt of the situation and directed the Authorised Officer to call a doctor. The Authorised Officer again refused, believing that the detainee’s request was spurious as they could not see blood from outside the cell. The acting supervisor then checked on the detainee and upon seeing blood themselves, called a doctor. The doctor’s assessment was that the detainee needed hospital care. A separate supervisor then directed the Authorised Officer to escort the detainee to the hospital. The Authorised Officer refused, stating that they did not feel well and were not capable of managing the detainee should they behave violently. The supervisor then sent the Authorised Officer home.
The Police investigation found that the Authorised Officer did not comply with Police policy in terms of caring for the detainee by refusing a reasonable request to contact a doctor, as well as failing to comply with lawful and reasonable instructions from their supervisors.
Police carried out an employment process, during which the Authorised Officer resigned. Despite the resignation, Police concluded the employment process in accordance with Public Service Commission’s guidelines.
The Authority agrees with the findings made by Police and overall accepts the outcome reached.
IPCA: 24-23108