No more action against officers involved in Ms Dhu case

West Australian police will take no further action against officers, who had adverse findings against them, after an Aboriginal woman died in custody, saying they have already been dealt with.

The family and supporters of Julieka Dhu outside court in Perth on Monday, Nov. 23, 2015. Her grandmother Carol Roe (L) and mother Della Roe spoke to reporters before an inquest into Ms Dhu's death began. (AAP Image/Angie Raphael) NO ARCHIVING

The family and supporters of Julieka Dhu outside court in Perth on Monday, Nov. 23, 2015. Her grandmother Carol Roe (L) and mother Della Roe. Source: AAP

In August 2014, 22-year-old Ms Dhu complained she was unwell while locked up at South Hedland Police Station for unpaid fines, but some officers assumed she was faking or coming down from drugs.

The Aboriginal Legal Service of WA says her family has written to Police Minister Michelle Roberts, arguing the officers treated Ms Dhu without proper care or dignity, and should be dismissed or sanctioned, but police have rejected those calls.
Carol Roe, Ms Dhu's grandmother, says she's reliving her grief at an inquest into her granddaughter's death.
Ms Dhu's grandmother, says she's reliving her grief at an inquest into her granddaughter's death. Source: NITV

  
After an internal investigation, four officers were sanctioned for unprofessional conduct, breaching regulations and failing in their duties, and seven other officers were found to have breached policy and procedures.

"All officers were dealt with in 2014 with the police internal processes that existed at that time," WA Police said in an emailed statement on Friday.
The state coroner broadly agreed with our findings and as such no further action will be taken against them.
Officers took Ms Dhu to hospital three times in as many days, but she was released back into custody after being cleared by medical staff on the first two occasions.
  
When her condition deteriorated further, she was taken back to hospital and was later declared deceased.
  
WA Police says changes have been made to custodial policies and procedures since Ms Dhu's death to ensure the safety and preserve the dignity of detainees.

With AAP

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Published 2 June 2017 2:54pm
Updated 5 June 2017 10:54am


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