Recommendations from the Inquest of Anthany James Dawson,
Prepared by the mother and family of Anthany
RECOMMENDATIONS
To: Ambulance Services
1. The final decision as to the use and application of restraints should be that of the medical personnel at the scene.
2. Face down restraint of an individual should only occur when no other option exists.
3. In the event that face down restraint does occur, there shall be constant observation of the patient to ensure the absence of airway obstruction and ability to expand chest..
4.
There should be a study of all ambulance equipment to ensure that the restraint devices and the stretcher are consistent with avoiding airway obstruction.
To: Hospital Services
5. That there be a First Nations liaison available at each of the two hospitals in Victoria and First Nations patients' to be so advised.
6. That there be created a system of immediate access to medical records on a province- wide basis.
To: Victoria City Police Services
Cultural Issues
7. That there be a mandatory race relations training program to educate members on issues including:
a) First Nations perceptions of police;
b) problems of stereo-typed decision making.
Incident Management intervention Model\ Use of Force Policy
8 That the use of force policy be re-evaluated to ensure that it places proper priority on arrestee/victim safety.
9. That police receive specific training on the physiological effects and risks of restraint and the use of force.
10. That the police receive specific training on the avoidance of and alternatives to the use of the Incident Management Intervention Model.
Incident Reporting and Investigation
11.
In all use of force occurrences:a) the recording of all relevant events in the notebook of all participating officers is mandatory and is not in the discretion of the individual officer:
b) all participating officers be required by statute to provide a tape recorded statement of their recollection and observations of a relevant events.
12. That there be a review of 'all protocols for the referral of use of force investigations to an outside agency to ensure:
a) prompt commencement of the investigation;
b) commitment of sufficient resources to ensure thoroughness of the investigation;
c) transparency of the investigation.
13. That there be a review of policies for reporting to victims and their families of the results of investigative steps in use of force cases where to do so would not jeopardize the integrity of the investigation.