The Authority oversaw a Police investigation into a complaint that Police failed to adequately investigate when the complainant was assaulted by his flatmate at home.
Police went to the complainant’s house but decided there was insufficient evidence to arrest the flatmate. The complainant became angry, and he was arrested and taken to the Police station.
He also complained that at the Police Station, Police failed to provide adequate medical treatment, unnecessarily placed him in a gown and used excessive force when putting him into the cell.
Police conducted an employment investigation. During that investigation, Police became aware of further evidence to support the victim’s assault complaint. Police withdrew the charges laid against the victim and charged the flatmate with assault.
The employment investigation determined that the initial decision to not arrest the flatmate was reasonable based on the information available to officers at that time and the victims arrest was lawful. It also found that Police did provide medical treatment by calling an ambulance to the police station but should have called the ambulance sooner.
The other complaints were not upheld following a review of the CCTV footage available from the custody unit.
The Authority is satisfied with the Police investigation and outcomes.
IPCA: 21-7129