Inquest into the death of DP
Deceased
DP
Demographics
45y, male
Date of death
2016-01-19
Finding date
2020-02-27
Cause of death
gunshot wound to the chest
AI-generated summary
DP, a 45-year-old with a history of methylamphetamine use and drug-induced psychosis/schizophrenia, attended Quakers Hill Police Station on 19 January 2016 with a knife intending to provoke police into shooting him. His judgment was significantly impaired by methylamphetamine intoxication and psychotic symptoms; he had not taken his prescribed antipsychotic medication for at least 33 hours. Despite multiple verbal commands to drop the knife, DP lunged at Sergeant Weston who discharged his firearm as a last resort to protect himself and others. Mental health care from 11-19 January 2016 was found adequate and appropriate. The coroner found the police response reasonable and proportionate. Systemic recommendation made regarding formal review processes for less-lethal tactical options against armed offenders.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Drugs involved
Contributing factors
- methylamphetamine intoxication
- psychotic symptoms (auditory hallucinations and paranoid delusions)
- non-adherence to antipsychotic medication (ziprasidone not detected in blood for minimum 33 hours prior to death)
- suicidal ideation expressed over preceding months
- previous expressions of desire for police to shoot him
- drug-induced psychosis or schizophrenia
Coroner's recommendations
- To the NSW Commissioner of Police: That consideration be given to the creation of a formal process whereby the Assistant Commissioner for the Education and Training Command receives advice from the Manager of the Weapons Tactics Policy and Review Unit every two years regarding developments in non-lethal or less lethal tactical options in the use of force when dealing with offenders armed with a knife or cutting weapon, and then considers which options might be investigated or pursued by the NSW Police Force.
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