WA Police fail to appear before Perth Senate inquiry into First Nations family violence, calls for M
- 7 months ago
#indigenoussuicide #wapolice #westernaustralia #wapols
WA Police have been criticized for failing appear before Senate inquiry into missing and ed First Nations women, despite repeated invitations and the intervention of WA Police Minister to force them attend. Highlights WA Police listed to testify at Senate inquiry in Perth today WA Police are listed to give evidence at the Senate inquiry in Perth today. Investigates deaths of First Nations women and children and missing person reports Investigates reports of deaths and disappearances of First Nations women and children. No one from the agency showed up in person, instead writing a presentation Senators in Perth today to investigate the state's handling of Indigenous family violence described WA Police's decision as 'absolute disrespect' and said they were 'not above scrutiny'. One of events aired at today's hearing concerns initial police response to baby Charlie Mullaley, one of most shocking domestic violence crimes in state's recent history. Charlie was 10 months old when he was abducted, tortured and eventually ed by his mother's abusive de facto partner, Mervyn Bell, in 2013. Charlie's mother, Tamica Mullaley, was arrested after being beaten by Bell and left bloo, naked and distressed on the side of the road in Broome. Although her father asked police to let him take Ms Mullaley's baby with him, the officers refused and Bell returned, kidnapped baby and 15 hours later dumped her body near a roadhouse 600 miles away. Committee member Dorinda Cox said WA Police's failure attend today's inquest in person was a detriment to families of those affected by the violence and was an "unacceptable ... response way WA Police conducts its business". Dorinda Cox was being tough on WA Police. “We find it absolutely disrespectful that Western Australian police did not attend families today to answer questions about why they were not receiving adequate responses or services in relation to their family members,” he said. “WA Police are still a public service in state, they are still not above scrutiny and we as Senators sit here on this committee as a house of scrutiny across country.” Unanswered questions The official brief was that WA Police were due to testify at AWST at 9am, but no one turned up and the four Senators waited for almost an hour. Want more local WA news? Select "Western Australia Top Stories" from ABC News homepage or from the settings menu in app. Inquiry chairman Senator Paul Scarr said it was "hugely disappointing" WA Police did not turn up. He said they wrote to WA Police twice requesting they appear, but the force refused despite being offered the opportunity to give evidence behind closed doors. Senator Paul Scarr said they justified their refusal to attend the hearing by citing other institutions that act as checks and balances in carrying out their duties. WA Police said they had issued a written statement regarding the investigation. Senator Scarr said he hoped the inve
WA Police have been criticized for failing appear before Senate inquiry into missing and ed First Nations women, despite repeated invitations and the intervention of WA Police Minister to force them attend. Highlights WA Police listed to testify at Senate inquiry in Perth today WA Police are listed to give evidence at the Senate inquiry in Perth today. Investigates deaths of First Nations women and children and missing person reports Investigates reports of deaths and disappearances of First Nations women and children. No one from the agency showed up in person, instead writing a presentation Senators in Perth today to investigate the state's handling of Indigenous family violence described WA Police's decision as 'absolute disrespect' and said they were 'not above scrutiny'. One of events aired at today's hearing concerns initial police response to baby Charlie Mullaley, one of most shocking domestic violence crimes in state's recent history. Charlie was 10 months old when he was abducted, tortured and eventually ed by his mother's abusive de facto partner, Mervyn Bell, in 2013. Charlie's mother, Tamica Mullaley, was arrested after being beaten by Bell and left bloo, naked and distressed on the side of the road in Broome. Although her father asked police to let him take Ms Mullaley's baby with him, the officers refused and Bell returned, kidnapped baby and 15 hours later dumped her body near a roadhouse 600 miles away. Committee member Dorinda Cox said WA Police's failure attend today's inquest in person was a detriment to families of those affected by the violence and was an "unacceptable ... response way WA Police conducts its business". Dorinda Cox was being tough on WA Police. “We find it absolutely disrespectful that Western Australian police did not attend families today to answer questions about why they were not receiving adequate responses or services in relation to their family members,” he said. “WA Police are still a public service in state, they are still not above scrutiny and we as Senators sit here on this committee as a house of scrutiny across country.” Unanswered questions The official brief was that WA Police were due to testify at AWST at 9am, but no one turned up and the four Senators waited for almost an hour. Want more local WA news? Select "Western Australia Top Stories" from ABC News homepage or from the settings menu in app. Inquiry chairman Senator Paul Scarr said it was "hugely disappointing" WA Police did not turn up. He said they wrote to WA Police twice requesting they appear, but the force refused despite being offered the opportunity to give evidence behind closed doors. Senator Paul Scarr said they justified their refusal to attend the hearing by citing other institutions that act as checks and balances in carrying out their duties. WA Police said they had issued a written statement regarding the investigation. Senator Scarr said he hoped the inve