The death of 36-year-old Dwayne Walters while in custody at the Papakura Court cells has prompted a major review of the safety of court cells across New Zealand.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority said in a report today that the cell Walters was detained in could have been used in a way which could have assisted him to strangle himself.
They concluded that the "poor condition" of the cell was a "significant contributor" in his death.
The IPCA says Walters threatened suicide on May 4 last year while at Counties Manukau Police station, but no concern regarding his welfare was recorded at the station.
He was subsequently taken to Papakura District Court - but despite routine checks, he was found unconscious and was unable to be revived by ambulance staff.
"While the IPCA did identify some shortcomings around the recording and notification of an earlier suicide threat made by Mr Walters, I note that the IPCA has concluded that none of those shortcomings amounted to misconduct or neglect of duty by Police," says Assistant Police Commissioner Allan Boreham.
Walters' death has prompted the Ministry of Justice to review court cells throughout New Zealand.
It said in a statement today that there are 367 custodial cells across 57 courts and all but nine courthouses have been reviewed.
A spokesman said they did find some "matters that needed to be addressed" in terms of ligature points and the need for surveillance.
However, the Deputy Secretary District Courts, Karl Cummins, says most custodial cells were generally well maintained.
"Different agencies are involved and custodial cells naturally house people at highly stressful times in their lives. As the IPCA notes, while the Ministry is responsible for the construction and maintenance of the cells, other agencies have responsibility for the custody and care of those detained in them. We will be doing this work collaboratively with out Justice sector partners and we'll be reporting back to the IPCA on the work as it progresses," says Mr Cummins.
Mr Boreham added that Police are making changes in the way they evaluate the mental and physical health of detainees and how that information is communicated.
Newshub.
