Indigenous man found unresponsive in Kowanyama cell shortly after arrest

A Cape community shocked by the death of a man in custody have demanded to know why Indigenous people are still dying in watch houses amid assurances of a “open and transparent” investigation by police.

A Cape community shocked by the death of a man in custody has demanded to know why Indigenous people are still dying in watch houses amid assurances of a “open and transparent” investigation by police.

Members of a remote Cape York community where a “well-known character” died while in police custody have given an update on feelings within the town, allaying fears of major unrest.

A 51-year-old Indigenous man was found dead in a Kowanyama jail cell on Wednesday shortly after he was arrested in relation to allegations of domestic and family violence offences.

A Queensland Police investigation has been launched through the ethical standards command, to be independently overseen by the Crime and Corruption Commission.

The Kowanyama police station in Western Cape York.

Kowanyama River House owner Thomas Hudson said the community had been left reeling by the death.

“We are all shocked rather than sad,” he said.

The Kowanyama resident who lives 200m from the Kowanyama police station said extra police had been flown into the remote western Cape town after the death on Wednesday,

though he didn’t expect any violence, despite community frustration.

“We are not that type of community,” he said.

“Everyone will be angry but we will not show that in any way and will let the police handle it.”

He said the question on everyone’s lips was how the man died.

“Why is this still happening when the cells are meant to be hang-proof and under a 24/7 watch, so the question from the community is how has this happened?” he said.

Queensland Police Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Wheeler said there would be an “open and transparent” investigation, with officers flying in from Brisbane.

“The investigation will look at the timing, number of staff rostered, all of those things you would expect, monitoring, all of those things will be unpicked throughout the investigation very, very closely,” Mr Wheeler said.

Kowanyama doctor Lara Wieland said despite the shock of the incident “everyone seems pretty calm” after flying out of the town on Wednesday night.

She didn’t believe there was a threat of unrest due to the strong relationship between the police and the Kowanyama people in the remote Western Cape York community.

“It’s a very different place to Aurukun,” she said.

“The police there at present are very nice and have been helping out as volunteers with the new youth group that has started up, and have a pretty good relationship with the community.

“I think mostly Kowanyama people will respect the investigation process.”

The community of Aurukun has been wracked by an ongoing cycle of violence in recent years, the result of long-running feuds between family groups.

Kowanyama has a population of around 940.

Former Kowanyama resident and regular visitor, Bernadette Boscacci – who has strong connections to the Indigenous community – said she would be “horrified” if an investigation found the man’s death was due to police brutality.

“The police that are there currently have a good reputation, there is quite a bit of collaboration between the community justice group and the police,” she said.

“I understand there is good rapport, so I would be surprised if it is brutality, I’d be horrified if it was.”

She said the tiny town, which has a population of around 940, had been saddened in recent weeks by the passing of local leader Vivian Sinnamon, and the death of a 23-year-old female.

“Everyone is pretty sad, I think in shock.” she said.

“This man is in his 50s, he is well-known in the community and was a bit of a character.

“Everyone is already floored but when there are multiple deaths, and tragedies happen, it is huge.”

Viv Sinnamon, curator, Kowanyama Collection

She said the Kowanyama police had formed a strong alliance with the Community Youth Justice Group, run through the Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council.

Mayor Robbie Sands has been contacted for comment.

Queensland Police said the man was taken into custody in relation to allegations of domestic and family violence related offences, and was located unresponsive in his cell a short time later on Wednesday, November 10.

“First aid was immediately provided, and the man was urgently transported to Kowanyama clinic, where he was declared deceased,” Queensland Police said in a statement last night.

The State Coroner has been advised.

Family liaison officers have been designated to provide information and support to the man’s family.

Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council mayor Robbie Sands.

Police release statement into watch-house death

A man has been found dead after being taken into custody in a remote Far North watch-house, with a Queensland Police investigation launched.

The ethical standards command is looking into the death of a 51-year-old man in Kowanyama on Wednesday, November 9.

He was taken into custody in relation to allegations of domestic and family violence related offences, and was located unresponsive in his cell a short time later.

“First aid was immediately provided, and the man was urgently transported to Kowanyama clinic, where he was declared deceased,” Queensland Police said in a statement last night.

The State Coroner has been advised and the Crime and Corruption Commission will provide independent oversight of the Ethical Standards Command investigation.

The police statement said family liaison officers had been designated to provide information and support to the man’s family.

It comes as the Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Mayor, Robbie Sands, called for calm in the remote Cape York community.

“From what I can observe the community is calm, the family group who are affected by the death in custody are calm and we need to maintain that,” he told the ABC.

More to come.

Follow @markcmuzza

Originally published as Indigenous man found unresponsive in Kowanyama cell shortly after arrest