Criticisms of Welfare Calls Arise Following Man’s Death After 19-Hour Wait
Police admit that it took a significant amount of time for officers to respond to a welfare call regarding an elderly man’s deteriorating health. However, they emphasize that it is too early to determine if the 19-hour delay played a role in his death.
Upon arriving at the 85-year-old man’s unit in southwest Sydney, he was still alive, but unfortunately, CPR attempts were unsuccessful in saving him, and he was pronounced dead.
Senior officers defended the length of the wait on July 12, following a concerned citizen’s call about the well-being of the resident in Bankstown.
Critics argue that incidents like this highlight the inadequacy of under-resourced police handling welfare checks and mental health emergencies, especially given previous troubling situations involving vulnerable individuals.
Several investigations are underway to understand the circumstances surrounding the man’s passing.
The initial welfare call came in at around 5:40 pm on July 4, but it wasn’t until 12:30 pm the following day that officers finally responded to the man’s residence.
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The man was exhibiting shallow breathing but could not be revived.
Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden of New South Wales (NSW) Police acknowledged that the Bankstown region, where the incident occurred, is one of the state’s most active areas and refrained from passing judgment on the police’s actions.
When asked if the 19-hour wait was excessive, he admitted that it was indeed a considerable delay.
Mr. McFadden emphasized the need to determine the impact of the response time on the man’s passing and assured that the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission and the internal oversight body of the police force would closely monitor the investigation.
While the cause of death remains unknown, no foul play has been suspected in the case.
The man lived alone and was facing health challenges, although specifics were not disclosed by the police.
Greens MP Sue Higginson criticized the reliance on police for welfare checks and mental health emergencies, citing the need for better-equipped professionals to handle such situations.
Concerns have escalated regarding police actions after an officer was charged with manslaughter in the death of a 95-year-old dementia patient who was tasered at a nursing home in Cooma in 2023. The officer has pleaded not guilty.
In a separate incident, two constables were accused of assaulting a 92-year-old man with probable dementia in Picton.
Premier Chris Minns acknowledged the recent incident as a troubling issue for the police force and emphasized the importance of ensuring prompt responses to emergency calls.
Acting Police Minister Tara Moriarty stressed the necessity for the public to have confidence in the quick dispatching of emergency services when contacted.
With approximately 1500 unfilled positions within the police force in NSW, investigations into the incident aim to determine if proper prioritization of calls was maintained on the day of the incident.
