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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that this website contains the names and images of people who have passed
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Police should convey medical information during handover
That:
a) Police instructions should require that the officer in charge of an outgoing shift draw to the attention of the officer in charge of the incoming shift any information relating to the well-being of any prisoner or detainee and, in particular, any medical attention required by any prisoner or detainee;
b) A written check list should be devised setting out those matters which should be addressed, both in writing and orally, at the time of any such handover of shift; and
c) Police services should assess the need for an appropriate form or process of record keeping to be devised to ensure adequate and appropriate notation of such matters.
Priority for Further Work:
High
Relevance and potential impact | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Low (0-2) | Moderate (3-4) | High (5-6) | |||
Extent of action taken and evidence of outcomes | High (5-6) | ||||
Moderate (3-4) | |||||
Low (0-2) | |||||
Background
The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCIADIC) highlighted serious gaps in how police share important health and safety information about people in custody. It found that poor communication between officers, especially during shift changes or between arresting and watch-house staff, put detainees at risk. The Commission stressed the need for clear systems and station orders to make sure all officers understand their responsibilities and that vital information is passed on properly.
A promising South Australian example was highlighted where the Police Department amended their General Orders to place a positive duty on the retiring officer to ensure the on-coming shift was ‘comprehensively informed of the status of each prisoner in custody’ including such matters as ‘health, welfare and issues relevant to bail’.