Police acknowledge the release of the Independent Police Conduct Authority’s (IPCA) report into the closure of a party at 70 Homebush Road on 5 September 2009 and accept the two specific recommendations made by the IPCA in relation to how police deal with disorder situations on private property.
Police also accept the IPCA’s conclusion that the Tactical Policing Unit's decision to enter 70 Homebush Road against the wishes of the occupants was contrary to law in this instance.
In addition we accept the possibility that the neck injury suffered by partygoer 3 could have been caused by a police baton while the party was being shut down, however, the Police investigation into this specific allegation was unable to identify sufficient evidence that met the threshold for initiating criminal proceedings.
It is regrettable that several weeks after the party a police employee leaked information to the media in relation to our investigation into partygoer 3’s allegations. Police have apologised to partygoer 3 for breaching his privacy and acknowledge the distress this action caused.
Police accept that extensive delays occurred during our internal investigation into the incident and that it is regrettable that it has taken four years for this matter to reach this point.
This incident has resulted in learnings for Police and there is a commitment to implement the recommendations of the IPCA.
We acknowledge that not enough resources were initially allocated to the case to ensure a robust and timely investigation was conducted.
Police welcome the IPCA’s recommendation that we need to urgently develop a national policy for dealing with disorder. Work is already underway and we will have new policies and guidelines in place by the end of the year. Once these policies and guidelines are in place training will be conducted in respect of them.
As acknowledged by the IPCA there is a public expectation that Police will deal with out of control parties. Police attend more than 6,500 noise complaints each year and the vast majority of these events are managed professionally and without incident.
In relation to this particular event Police received a 111 call from a distressed party-goer reporting violent behavior, including bottle throwing. The attending police officers confronted a fast-moving situation where they made some split second decisions in their efforts to protect the public that in hindsight have been found to be incorrect.
Due to complex issues surrounding this case and the possibility of further legal action police will not be commenting further on this matter.
Assistant Commissioner Grant Nicholls
ENDS
For more information contact Kevin Sinnott on (027) 705 0341
