Select committee on police mental health to investigate death of officer at Port Adelaide station

A bipartisan committee will investigate whether mental health played a role in the death of a Port Adelaide police officer this week.

The death of a police officer inside her station will be investigated by a parliamentary committee into the mental health of South Australia’s emergency responders.

Independent MLC Frank Pangallo told The Advertiser on Sunday he would refer a mother-of-two’s death on Monday, January 8, to the Select Committee on Support and Mental Health Services for Police.

Mr Pangallo will call on the station’s commanding officers and SA Police top brass to give evidence when hearings begin next month.

“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,” he said.

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

The Advertiser understands the detective brevet sergeant had two young children, with reports claiming her body was found in the station’s toilet between 2pm and 3pm on Monday, January 8, according to 7NEWS. Picture Google Maps

The female officer was found dead at the Port Adelaide station just months after the committee was established by the opposition, following a damning Police Association survey that found high rates of “mental distress” and management issues in the force.

SA Police confirmed her “sudden death” was not being treated as suspicious, with Acting Police Commissioner Linda Williams’ announcing a Commissioner’s Inquiry and coronial investigation into the circumstances.

But Mr Pangallo said a parliamentary inquiry would be “more wide-ranging” as it would probe the severity of mental health issues among first responders and supports available.

He cited the tragic death of cook Debra Summers who died trapped in a walk-in freezer at a police training centre in the Adelaide Hills in 2016.

“There were two inquiries, the Commissioner’s and the (parliamentary) inquest … The inquest went into a lot more detail and was scathing of the police practices that led to her death,” Mr Pangallo said.

“This inquest will be conducted along inquisitorial lines like a court. Many witnesses will be called and they will be cross-examined under the rule of law.”

Opposition committee chair and founder Laura Henderson MLC said it had been a difficult few months for the state’s policing community and her thoughts were with the officer’s family and friends.

The detective brevet sergeant’s death is the second tragedy to devastate SA Police in as many months, following the death of Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig, who was fatally shot in an incident at Senior, in the state’s South-East, on November 16.

“Our police put on a uniform every day to make sure they keep South Australians safe, at times to the detriment of their own safety,” Mrs Henderson said.

“The least we can do is make sure they have the protections and support they need in this undertaking.

“My hope is that this parliamentary committee will provide the opportunity for our policing community to shed light on ways they can be better supported and protected.”

A state government spokesman said it supported the committee’s establishment and would “engage constructively on its outcomes”.

“We welcome the opportunity to receive feedback that can help guide our actions moving forward,” he said.

The spokesman also said the government was reviewing Mr Pangallo’s proposed overhauls to PTSD compensation among first responders, which would put the burden on employers to disprove a claim.

SAPOL confirmed it is preparing a submission for the committee which will include detail on all of the support services it provides its employees.

Submissions to the committee can be made through the SA parliament website until January 26.