‘Bare minimum’: Police union boss calls for more first aid gear after tourniquet saves cop’s life
The Queensland Police Union is calling for the tactical first aid kits to be given to all frontline officers in the state, after a personally purchased tourniquet saved an officer’s life in Brisbane.
The Queensland Police Union has called on Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski to invest in more tactical first aid kits, after a personally purchased tourniquet saved an officer’s life after he was shot in Brisbane on Friday morning.
Police were called to a home on Tamar St in Annerley where residents reported a man armed with a piece of timber in their backyard at around 9.13am.
Acting sergeant Liam Bailey attended the scene along with first year constable Boyd Harrington-Karaitiana where, during a scuffle with the trespasser, Mr Bailey was shot with his own gun by the escaped hospital patient.
Acting assistant commissioner Rhys Wildman said the man in the backyard was in a “highly agitated state”, and when the officers tried to de-escalate the situation, he “approached (them) and a struggle commenced”.
During the scuffle, the man lunged for Mr Bailey’s firearm and shot him in the inner left thigh.
Mr Harrington-Karaitiana was also severely bitten by the alleged offender before he was forced to shoot him twice in the stomach.
Mr Harrington-Karaitiana gave Mr Bailey his own personally purchased tourniquet, which ultimately saved his life.
Despite being shot, Mr Wildman said the man remained in an “erratic” state, and needed to be tasered by additional police units when they arrived.
On Saturday morning, Queensland Police Union president Shane Prior praised the actions of both officers, saying Friday’s events showcased the importance of tactical first aid gear in frontline policing.
“Make no mistake, the situation that both of those officers found themselves in yesterday was extraordinarily dangerous and it escalated very quickly,” he said.
“If Boyd, the first year constable, was required to race back to a QPS vehicle to obtain a QPS issued tourniquet from the back of the police car, medical professionals have told me that delay would’ve likely resulted in the death of Liam.”
Mr Prior said QPS issued tourniquets are station-based resources, something he believes “should only have ever been a bare minimum measure.”
“After yesterday’s incident, we can no longer delay,” he said.
“The commissioner must immediately order the personal issue of tactical first aid kits and tourniquets to each frontline officer in Queensland. Without Boyd going to buy his own tourniquet, this may have resulted in the death of a brave frontline general duties police officer.”
On Saturday afternoon, QPS Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said he is “committed to providing high quality equipment to our frontline police to ensure they have the necessary tools to protect themselves and the community.”
“The annual Tactical First Aid Training undertaken by all officers and the provision of Tactical First Aid Kits in every operational police vehicle demonstrates the priority we place on ensuring we have the best training and equipment for our frontline workforce,” Mr Gollschewski said.
“I remain open to feedback about how we can improve the safety for our frontline responders and will always put their safety, and the safety of the community first.”
Friday’s shooting is under the investigation of the Ethical Standards Command and the Crime and Corruption Commission, which Mr Wildman emphasised “is normal practice for these type of events.”
Mr Wildman also said the QPS welfare system had “been wrapped around the two officers” as they recovered.
Both officers, as well as the critically injured man, were taken to hospital by paramedics on Friday.
Mr Harrington-Karaitiana was treated for his bite and released soon after, and Mr Bailey remains in hospital where he is recovering well.
The 26-year-old alleged offender had life-threatening injuries and underwent surgery on Friday afternoon.
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