Police station death sparks probe into ‘operational equipment’ access

One of the state’s most respected police officers will examine the death of a police officer in her own station as fresh details emerge about the resulting Commissioner’s inquiry.

One of the state’s top cops will determine if police officers should be subjected to stricter firearms access following the sudden death of an officer in her station house.

On Monday January 9, the mother-of-two was found dead at Port Adelaide police station between 2pm and 3pm.

Multiple sources have told The Advertiser her death is being treated as a suicide.

While the circumstances are not believed to be suspicious, Acting Police Commissioner Linda Williams immediately announced a coronial investigation as well as a Commissioner’s inquiry into the tragic event.

The Advertiser can reveal that the inquiry will examine under what circumstances police officers should have access to their firearms and other “operational equipment” and “whether there exist adequate controls over unnecessary access”.

SA Police Acting Commissioner Linda Williams announced a twin probe into a Port Adelaide police officer’s death. Picture: Morgan Sette

It will be led by former head of both SA Police’s organised crime branch and gangs task force, Detective Chief Inspector David Huddy.

A police spokeswoman said Detective Chief Inspector Huddy’s inquiry will examine the “appropriateness” of current policies “in order to prevent or reduce the likelihood or reoccurrence of a similar event”.

“In general terms, the Commissioner’s Inquiry will examine the appropriateness, against organisational policy, of the officer’s access to operational equipment and the application of relevant policy as it relates to the storage and access to operational equipment within the Western District,” the spokeswoman said.

Detective Chief Inspector Huddy will also probe “the daily management and wellbeing of the officer” who died.

However, the full terms of reference will not be made public because they include “details of a sensitive nature”, according to the spokeswoman, and no timeline has been set for the findings to be delivered.

A week after the news of the officer’s death, state crossbencher Frank Pangallo referred it to a new parliamentary inquiry into the mental health of first responders, which is set to begin hearings in February.

“We know that mental health is a serious issue in the community in general, but it can also have an impact on people who have to confront traumatic incidents in their line of work,” Mr Pangallo told The Advertiser.

“Parliament has a responsibility to ensure that the right procedures and processes are being followed to provide the best outcomes possible.”

SA Police confirmed they have prepared a submission for the committee.