The New South Wales police officer’s decision not to call an ambulance for an Indigenous man who was self-harming in a prison cell was influenced by “unconscious racism,” according to the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (Lecc). Lecc’s report, released on Monday, concluded that the senior police officer, responsible for detainee welfare, engaged in “serious misconduct” by failing to recognize the mental health condition of the individual, known as CAE. The officer’s skepticism about Aboriginal people’s mental health claims led to inadequate treatment, with the officer believing many were fabricating their impairments to be taken to a hospital instead of correctional custody.
Despite CCTV footage showing CAE banging his head, causing visible injuries, and audible sounds throughout the police station, the officer did not attempt to intervene or call for an ambulance. When other officers suggested calling for medical help, the officer decided against it, adhering to a misconception that Aboriginal people in the community often tried to manipulate the system by feigning health issues. The officer transferred CAE, with a significant head injury, to a city police station in the back of a police vehicle’s cage, taking over an hour to arrive.
The incident occurred in a regional town with a significant Aboriginal population, and the police were aware of CAE’s severe mental health condition and history of self-harm in custody. The commission did not recommend changes to mental health and Aboriginal cultural awareness training but suggested that face-to-face training be considered.
Lecc Commissioner Anina Johnson stated that the custody manager’s views and actions did not align with the NSW police force’s strategic direction, which includes commitments to addressing racism, discrimination, and bias. The report followed previous investigations by the watchdog, which found that custody managers often failed to fulfill their duties in managing vulnerable individuals in custody.
The commission recommended amending the Police Act to extend the time limit for charging an officer with neglecting or refusing to obey an order from six to twelve months after the alleged offense. It also noted that while the officer had completed online training on appropriate responses, he had a minimal recollection of the content.
Regrettably, the commission was unable to contact CAE for the investigation, resulting in a report that did not include his voice.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jun/24/unconscious-racism-nsw-police-indigenous-prisoner-ntwnfb
