Police in Queensland, Australia shot a man outside Kirwan Police Station and he later died, Queenland Police confirmed in a statement released Sunday.
According to the statement, the 46-year-old Canbrook man approached Kirwan Police Station at around 10pm on Saturday and threatened officers with a knife. Following unsuccessful attempts at deescalation, “[p]olice shot the man and immediately rendered first aid. He died a short time later.”
In a subsequent update, the police confirmed that police investigations remain ongoing, and Kirwan Police Station remains a crime scene. This means a review of body worn vision and CCTV from the station. At this stage, the man’s motive and mental state remain unknown. Nor did the man have a criminal record. However, Acting Detective Superintendent Jason Brosnan said, “I can assure you that our training is of the highest standard. We don’t take a life lightly”.
Detective Superintendent Jason Brosnan told media that the decision followed unsuccessful attempts at deescalation. The emphasis on deescalation is important: while section 616 of the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000 provides police with the power to use lethal force against individuals in “critical situation,” officers must, if practicable, first call on the person to stop doing the act. A heeded warning is intended to yield credibility to the assessment of a “critical situation.” Under section 616(2)(a), a critical situation arises if:
(a) a police officer reasonably suspects a person is doing, or is about to do, something likely to cause grievous bodily harm to, or the death or, another person; and
(b) the police officer reasonably suspects the officer can not prevent the grievous bodily harm or death other than in the way authorised under this section.
While the investigation continues, local police and the deceased’s family have been offered counseling. The Ethical Standards Command is set to investigate the incident on behalf of the State Coroner, with oversight from the Crime and Corruption Commission.
