Pubdate: Fri, 8 Jun 2007
Source: Victoria News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 Victoria News
Contact:  http://www.vicnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1267
Author: Brennan Clarke
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration)

INQUEST JURY RECOMMENDS BETTER TRAINING

Woman Died in Police Cell

Fifteen months after Tracee Ann Riches died suddenly in police 
custody, authorities still don't know how she died or how the tragedy 
could have been prevented.

Riches died in Victoria police cells on Feb. 7, 2006, more than a day 
after she was arrested for violating a court order to stay out of the 
so-called red zone in downtown Victoria.

"It's a frustrating file for us. She was with us for 30 hours," said 
Victoria police Insp. Clark Russell. "The autopsy was inconclusive. 
There was no obvious cause of death."

A coroner's jury that wrapped up its deliberations last week issued 
four recommendations to Victoria police.  Two recommendations relate 
to making sure all "relevant personnel" are trained in the use of 
life-saving first-aid equipment.

The jury found that first-aid equipment in police cells was 
incorrectly maintained and that staff weren't clear on how to use 
life-saving devices such as the portable defibrillator.

The jury also call on police to refine their search procedures and 
"provide police-issued clothing to all prisoners that are booked into cells."

But Russell said the call for police-issued clothing is "problematic 
for a whole bunch of reasons," including the prospect a prisoner 
might become combative with police.

"Not everybody co-operates with police in cells," Russell said. "If 
somebody doesn't want to take their clothes off, what do you do?"

Police-issued clothing would allow officers to search seams and 
hidden pockets for contraband, but Russell said body cavities are 
often the first choice of prisoners looking to hide drugs, a reality 
that raises legal issues for police.

"The court has said all searches are illegal," Russell said, adding 
that strip searches have to be conducted by medically trained person 
with special constable powers. "They may or may not not be available."

Even a more thorough search might not have prevented Riches' death, 
since it's unclear whether she succumbed to drugs or the wear and 
tear of years of drug addiction.

Russell said he first met Riches when he started working as police 
officer in Victoria 29 years ago. She was well-known in the street 
community as a colourful, feisty character.

"She was someone I knew quite well," he said. "I kind of liked her, 
but she lived a hard life." 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake