Wiradjuri man Brandon Rich: Inquest finds police need more domestic and family violence training

The inquest into the death of Wiradjuri man Brandon Rich has called for more police training. Here’s the latest.

Brandon Rich. Photo: Supplied.

A coronial inquest probing into the harrowing death of an Aboriginal man who died in police custody found more domestic and family violence training should be conducted by NSW Police who undertake operational duties.

WARNING: This story contains an image and details of an Aboriginal person who has died.

NSW Deputy State Coroner Harriet Grahame released her findings into Wiradjuri man Brandon Rich’s death on Thursday, following a two-week inquest in December 2023.

Mr Rich died on December 29, 2021, after he was confronted by police at his grandmother’s home at Maughan St, Wellington, near Dubbo.

It has been found that the 29-year-old died from a cardiac arrhythmia triggered by myocardial ischaemia in the context of physical exertion and stress from his prolonged struggle with police, morbid obesity, high blood pressure, a history of methamphetamine use, smoking, and severe coronary artery disease.

Brandon Rich. Photo: Supplied.

Ms Grahame found that further domestic and family violence training needed to be provided to officers undertaking operational duties in relation to the exercise of police powers.

The report stated the two police officers who attended the scene did not wear body-worn cameras or carry a taser, which had been a “regrettable” decision.

The officers stated they were told the body-worn cameras were not charged.

Mr Rich had been living with his grandmother Denise, however the pair had a deteriorating relationship in the past 18 months prior to his death which involved physical and verbal abuse levelled against her.

On the morning of his death, Ms Rich went to the station, but they were closed so she drove back home and saw two officers on a nearby street.

Wellington Police Station is not open 24 hours a day. Picture: Ryan Young

The report stated she asked them to visit her residence but did not tell them why.

When two officers arrived at the front of her property and were speaking with Mr Rich, they wanted to take him to Wellington Police Station, however he refused and ran inside the house while trying to barricade the front door.

The officers used capsicum spray through the gaps of the door.

Mr Rich ran to the bathroom and attempted to escape out the window, while the officers attempted to restrain him.

“It would have been very difficult, if not impossible, for Brandon to successfully escape from that window,” the report stated.

More officers arrived in an attempt to de-escalate the situation.

After officers struck Mr Rich twice in the leg with an extendible baton and placed him in handcuffs, Mr Rich’s face changed colour, according to the report.

An ambulance was called and attended the scene, however Mr Rich died when he arrived at Wellington Hospital.

“In my view, the most critical issue arising from the evidence is the apparent lack of strategic thinking about early de-escalation techniques,” the report stated.

Ms Grahame acknowledges NSW Police intended to introduce an online training package relating to mental health awareness which includes considerations of de-escalation techniques.

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