Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna speaks about death of man in NSW Police custody at Casino in northern NSW
A police commander has spoken out after a man tragically died in the hands of officers following his arrest in a rural northern NSW town. Here’s what the top cop had to say.
Regional News
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A man who died in the custody of police in a rural northern NSW town lost consciousness when he was taken from a holding dock due to welfare concerns, according to a top cop.
The 48-year-old man’s death at Casino Police Station on Sunday has been described as “nothing short of a tragedy” by Northern Region Commander Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna.
Police have launched a critical incident investigation involving the Homicide Squad to get to the bottom of the man’s death after his arrest at Casino Showgrounds just after 11am.
Richmond Police District responded to reports a man had been assaulted at the Summerland Way showground.
The travelling Hudsons Circus was operating at the location from Wednesday to the Sunday.
Police have stated the man met with them and “assaulted a police officer” before he was arrested and taken to Casino Police Station, about 30km southwest of Lismore.
The man became unconscious “while in custody” and “died in custody”, despite NSW Ambulance paramedics and police officers trying to help, police stated.
Assistant Commissioner McKenna said at the Walker St police station on Monday that Casino police “became concerned for the man’s welfare” while he was in the dock.
“Police removed the man from the dock. During this time, it appears that he became unconscious,” he said.
Assistant Commissioner McKenna said the State Crime Command Homicide Squad probe would be overseen by the Professional Standards Command and the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.
He flagged that “these investigations will take some time” and said they would be “completely independent” and “extremely thorough”.
He said police visited the man’s next of kin on Sunday.
“The commander here has gone and seen the next of kin yesterday,” he said.
“Obviously, you know, people are upset when they lose a loved one, and rightly so.
“It’s nothing short of a tragedy in any circumstance when someone loses their life.”
Assistant Commissioner McKenna said he believed the death in custody was “an isolated incident”.
He said Richmond police were “here 24/7 working very hard” in the town “to drive down crime and also to give the community confidence”.
Assistant Commissioner McKenna would not say whether the man was known to police or whether alcohol or drugs may have played a part. He pointed to the ongoing investigation.
Casino police did not offer comment on the incident, instead leaving Assistant Commissioner McKenna to speak at the press conference.
Know more? Phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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