The Authority oversaw a Police investigation in respect of a sudden death in Auckland, in October 2019. Police investigated after a criticism of attending officers by a paramedic who later attended the incident. In the paramedic's opinion, the officers should have commenced CPR immediately when they found the deceased's body, as there was a chance he could have been resuscitated.
The Police investigation found that staff responded appropriately to the incident overall. However, Police acknowledged that Communications staff could have prioritised the original 111 call differently, and this would have meant officers arrived more quickly at the scene. It would also have meant an ambulance was called immediately.
An independent medical expert reviewed the incident and said it was highly likely the man was already dead when the officers arrived on scene, but also said that attending staff could have carried out further checks on the man's body to be sure that there were no signs of life.
Following the investigation, Police updated their standard operating procedures when responding to sudden death reports so that Communications staff immediately call for an ambulance to attend the scene. Police now afford these incidents the highest priority when there is any prospect that the person may be resuscitated.
The staff members involved received appropriate employment outcomes. The Authority agrees with the Police's findings and recommendations.
IPCA: 20-1931