Question On Notice No. 1401 asked in the Legislative Council on 13 June 2018 by Hon Martin Aldridge
Question Directed to the: Minister for Environment representing the Minister for Police
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
Tabled Paper No: 1600-
View tabled paper
Question
I refer to Western Australia Police (WAPOL) and their requirement to seek a 'fit for custody' certificate before admitting persons under the influence of drugs or alcohol into custody, and I ask:
(a) what is the WAPOL procedure relating to 'fit for custody' assessments;
(b) will the Minister please provide a copy of such procedures, guidelines or advice to WAPOL in relation to the requirement for such assessments to be undertaken;
(c) per month for the last twelve months, on how many occasions have WAPOL conveyed a person in custody to Geraldton Hospital or another medical service provider in the Mid West to gain a 'fit for custody' assessment; and
(d) in reference to (c), for each occasion what was the length of time involved for WAPOL and the prisoner in custody to travel to and from medical services for the purpose of a 'fit for custody' medical assessment including the assessment itself and any related waiting time?
Answered on 14 August 2018
(a) – (d) The Western Australia Police Force advise that it ceased using the terminology ‘Fit for Custody’ on 11 April 2016. Terminology and documentation that better reflect the history and response to information disclosed and recorded during the admission process and/or disclosure by the detainee or observation by police during the period of custody has been implemented. The terminology adopted by the WA Police Force is used in the online Custody Management Application (CMA), which is the primary repository for recording events related to a detainee who is in custody of the WA Police Force. Relevant documents include the Medical Summary Report, the Medical Treatment Plan and the Medical Treatment Report.
The WA Police Force further advise that the total number of episodes in 2017/18 for Geraldton Hospital or another hospital in the Mid West is 264, with 679 hours of travel to and from medical services for the purpose of medical assessments including the assessment itself and any related waiting time.
Please see attachment one, the Custodial Lock-up Standard Operating Procedures.