1057. Hon Alison Xamon to the minister representing the Minister for Police:
I refer to police procedure regarding the notification of next of kin following a suspected suicide death, and I ask:
(a) are police able to advise next of kin/family members that they suspect a death may be suicide;
(b) if no to (a):
(i) why not; and
(ii) will the Minister make the necessary changes to enable police to do so;
(c) if yes to (a), are there any procedures or guidelines to provide whether police should advise next of kin/family members, where they suspect a death is suicide;
(d) if yes to (c), would the Minister please provide a copy; and
(e) if no to (c), why not?
Hon Stephen Dawson replied:
(a)–(b) Western Australia Police Force attend all Reportable Deaths as defined in section 3 of the Coroners Act 1996 (the Act). WA Police officers are appointed as the coroner’s investigators and their principal role is to make an initial determination of whether the death has occurred in any suspicious circumstances.
Under the Act, police officers are prohibited from making any comment as to the cause and manner of the death.
Police are conscious that the next of kin/family members may want to be informed about the circumstances surrounding the death, however comments by police prior to a Coroner’s finding may lead to confusion and cause further distress for the family of the deceased.
When the next of kin are notified on behalf of the Coroner, the police can assist in arranging for a friend, relative or, if appropriate, a religious person to attend. The next of kin are also provided with the contact details of the officer responsible for the case to be kept informed.
A free counselling service to family members is provided by the Coroner’s office.
The WA Police Force does not support any legislative change.
(c)–(e) Not applicable.