Former Alice Springs Coles worker Gene Hill says it was clear an Aboriginal man who died in police custody at the supermarket last week had a disability and needed extra support.
The Coles supermarket in Alice Springs where 24-year-old Warlpiri man Kumanjayi White died after being restrained by police last week.A former Coles supermarket worker in Alice Springs says it was clear an Aboriginal man who died in police custody at the supermarket last week had a disability and needed extra support.
The Northern Territory Police Force is investigating Kumanjayi White's death after officers restrained him following an alleged altercation on Tuesday.NT Police Acting Commissioner Martin Dole has defended the force's decision to lead the investigation into his death, citing "the corruption of evidence if not collected in a fashion that's admissible".Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains the names of Indigenous people who have died, used with the permission of their families. A former Coles worker familiar with a young Aboriginal man who died in police custody at the Alice Springs supermarket last week says it was obvious he had a disability and needed help to do his shopping. Kumanjayi White, a 24-year-old Warlpiri man from the remote community of Yuendumu, died on Tuesday last week after plain-clothed police officers restrained him following an alleged altercation with security guards. Northern Territory Police and the coroner will investigate the circumstances surrounding Mr White's death. Gene Hill says he used to serve Kumanjayi White when he worked at the supermarket and could "see he's got special needs".Western Arrernte man Gene Hill said he bought food for Mr White on several occasions when he worked at the Coles supermarket in Alice Springs."The first thing I looked for was his carer."Grandfather calls for 'answers and justice' over 24yo's death in custody The grandfather of the 24-year-old man who died in police custody in Alice Springs on Tuesday has paid tribute to his grandson and called for "accountability, justice and self-determination". Mr Hill said he used to spot Mr White wandering the supermarket aisles, and would "simply go up to him and grab the products off him and just explain to him that it's got to be paid for". He suggested Coles should hire more Indigenous staff to help overcome language barriers and better support Aboriginal shoppers with disabilities."There's no one for the language barrier … and they don't hire Indigenous security guards." In a statement, a Coles spokesperson said the supermarket giant was "deeply saddened" by Mr White's death. "We closed our store last week to provide the man's family and community the time and space to mourn and pay their respects," they said in a statement. "Our thoughts go out to the man's family, loved ones and the wider community during this difficult time."In a statement, a spokesperson for Life Without Barriers confirmed the non-profit disability support service had provided care to Mr White. The spokesperson said Mr White was a "much loved son, brother, grandson, friend and community member". Robin Japanagka Granites leads a "finishing up ceremony" at the Coles supermarket in Alice Springs where Kumanjayi White was restrained by police."As an organisation, we are deeply saddened by this tragedy and its impact on our people who supported and cared for him and our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colleagues," they said.Justice Not Jails spokesperson Thomas Mayo reiterated calls for an independent investigation into Mr White's death, saying "police investigating themselves is an issue all Australians should get behind". Advocates including Amnesty International have previously called for the investigation into his death to be conducted outside of NT police to "ensure impartiality", while Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthythe decision to internally investigate Mr White's death in custody "This is the same in every state and jurisdiction in Australia and it's no different in the Northern Territory," he told ABC Radio Alice Springs on Monday. "It's not simply a matter that a criminal investigation can be handed to someone independent as there's real risks that action that is taken could prevent further action being taken."There's the corruption of evidence if not collected in a fashion that's admissible, there's the tainting of evidence that could render it unusable. "I have absolute confidence in the detectives and members of the Northern Territory Police Force undertaking this investigation — they're professional, experienced, highly-trained and impartial."Photo shows An Aboriginal man with gray hair, white paint across his forehead, holding a microphone as he sits and speaks. In an emotional vigil in Alice Springs, Warlpiri elders say now is the time for truth, encouraging witnesses of a young man's death in custody at a local supermarket to come forward."When an incident happens that involves a death — and if it's a sudden and unexpected death — then the NT coroner also has jurisdiction. "Any criminal investigation still has priority and that sits squarely with the Northern Territory police." When asked about police protocols around dealing with people with disabilities, Acting Police Commissioner Dole said he did not know "if that was relevant in this circumstance". "What we've got is a situation where we had police on their lunch break acting in accordance with their oath and jumping in as an incident was unfolding," he said.Photo shows A graphic collage of a silhouette of a woman, an emergency sign from a hospital and an ambulance.Photo shows A white middle aged man with short hair and a blue suit. He is sitting at a desk reading a reportPhoto shows Keir Starmer speaks at a lectern with a crowd of people behind himPhoto shows A graphic collage of a silhouette of a woman, an emergency sign from a hospital and an ambulance.
Ned Hargraves Gene Hill Death In Custody Northern Territory Police Coles Supermarket Investigation Disability Help
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