Now a man's died after an incident at Cole's supermarket in Alice Springs. Security guards confronted the twenty four year old who was trying to steal items by hiding them in his clothes just after one pm yesterday afternoon. Police say the twenty four year old became aggressive, an altercation then broke out and a security guard was assaulted. Now joining me in the studio is see Northern Territories Assistant Police Commissioner Travis Wurz. Good morning to your assistant commissioner.

Now a man's died after an incident at Cole's supermarket in Alice Springs. Security guards confronted the twenty four year old who was trying to steal items by hiding them in his clothes just after one pm yesterday afternoon. Police say the twenty four year old became aggressive, an altercation then broke out and a security guard was assaulted. Now joining me in the studio is see Northern Territories Assistant Police Commissioner Travis Wurz. Good morning to your assistant commissioner.

Morning coding, and morning to your listeners.

Morning coding, and morning to your listeners.

Now talk me through what's happened from the police perspective.

Now talk me through what's happened from the police perspective.

So, obviously the report was received yesterday. As you've described, Northern Charity Police responded from a frontline point of view that so security guards called police police were requested to attend the supermarket for this particular mile. But in that intervening period a person, a police officer who was on duty but actually implying clothes, was at the location. He saw what was occurring, he assisted the security guards. We can confirm that one of the security guards had been assaulted before the police officer got there, and after a period of time the other police arrived, but unfortunately, in that intervening period, for reasons yet to be determined, the male lost consciousness. Saint John's Ambulance were also called. They arrived, attended, provided medical care. He was taken Ali Springs Hospital unfortunately passed away.

So, obviously the report was received yesterday. As you've described, Northern Charity Police responded from a frontline point of view that so security guards called police police were requested to attend the supermarket for this particular mile. But in that intervening period a person, a police officer who was on duty but actually implying clothes, was at the location. He saw what was occurring, he assisted the security guards. We can confirm that one of the security guards had been assaulted before the police officer got there, and after a period of time the other police arrived, but unfortunately, in that intervening period, for reasons yet to be determined, the male lost consciousness. Saint John's Ambulance were also called. They arrived, attended, provided medical care. He was taken Ali Springs Hospital unfortunately passed away.

So in terms of the police that were there, were they so they were actually on duty, but in plane clothes, so presumably on lunch or something.

So in terms of the police that were there, were they so they were actually on duty, but in plane clothes, so presumably on lunch or something.

Correct, Yeah, they were the calls for their own personal purposes, boss getting lunch as is there, They're right, and even though they were off duty, sorry not off duty, but they were at the supermarket in playing clothes. The Northern Charity Police have a duty and they became involved because there was obviously an incident that required a response, and the police officers did the right thing and became involved to support the security guards who were involved in this altercation with the mail. And unfortunately, as a consequence of all the things that transpired, many of which we're still piecing together as part of the investigation, this person's passed away. I passed on my condolences to the family. What I can tell your listeners is that we believe we've identified the mail. However, we need to do that through a formal process, and that hasn't yet been occurred. There are very strict protocols that we must adhere to to make sure that we are completely certain as to who the identity of the person who passed away was. We do believe, however, the mail was living in our springs but is from a remote community within Central Australia. As a consequence of that information, soon after the incident occurred, we had our cultural reform teams start engaging with the community and community members. We've also had police in the particular community engaging with the family members and the community more broadly to ensure that there's an open line of communication and we can provide as much information as we can. We're very concerned about, obviously, the community sentiment and the impact this will have in the community. So we're working very closely with that community to make sure that any issues that may bubble up can be addressed and dealt with sooner rather than later.

Correct, Yeah, they were the calls for their own personal purposes, boss getting lunch as is there, They're right, and even though they were off duty, sorry not off duty, but they were at the supermarket in playing clothes. The Northern Charity Police have a duty and they became involved because there was obviously an incident that required a response, and the police officers did the right thing and became involved to support the security guards who were involved in this altercation with the mail. And unfortunately, as a consequence of all the things that transpired, many of which we're still piecing together as part of the investigation, this person's passed away. I passed on my condolences to the family. What I can tell your listeners is that we believe we've identified the mail. However, we need to do that through a formal process, and that hasn't yet been occurred. There are very strict protocols that we must adhere to to make sure that we are completely certain as to who the identity of the person who passed away was. We do believe, however, the mail was living in our springs but is from a remote community within Central Australia. As a consequence of that information, soon after the incident occurred, we had our cultural reform teams start engaging with the community and community members. We've also had police in the particular community engaging with the family members and the community more broadly to ensure that there's an open line of communication and we can provide as much information as we can. We're very concerned about, obviously, the community sentiment and the impact this will have in the community. So we're working very closely with that community to make sure that any issues that may bubble up can be addressed and dealt with sooner rather than later.

So has there been any unreased in Ellice Springs following that incident, Look.

So has there been any unreased in Ellice Springs following that incident, Look.

Not, to my knowledge. I did have a conversation with the other springs management team this morning just so I understood what the sentiment and the community temperature was and at this stage all the work we've done to this point has managed to ensure that there's been no concern in the community from an unrest point of view. We've also engaged with all of our common wealth sorry, our government, orn terity, government partners and commal partners to make sure that there's calm in this response. We all need to make sure we're delivering services into our spring and into all the remote communities as we would normally, and in fact increase That engagement is required because we understand what this could mean for a remote community, and we need to make sure that we're able to address any concerns as they arrive and arise so that we can keep every community safe.

Not, to my knowledge. I did have a conversation with the other springs management team this morning just so I understood what the sentiment and the community temperature was and at this stage all the work we've done to this point has managed to ensure that there's been no concern in the community from an unrest point of view. We've also engaged with all of our common wealth sorry, our government, orn terity, government partners and commal partners to make sure that there's calm in this response. We all need to make sure we're delivering services into our spring and into all the remote communities as we would normally, and in fact increase That engagement is required because we understand what this could mean for a remote community, and we need to make sure that we're able to address any concerns as they arrive and arise so that we can keep every community safe.

So at this point in time, as I understand it, this is now being treated as a death in custody.

So at this point in time, as I understand it, this is now being treated as a death in custody.

Right, that's correct. So what that means is that when police are involved in an incident and ultimately someone in that incident passes away, there's clear guidelines that tell us what is and what isn't the death in custody. This is quite clearly falls into that category. A matter such as this will mandatorily go to the coroner's office and become an inquest. It's an obligation that the coroner has. We're investigating this matter at the moment on behalf of the coroner. Some of the information that for your listeners around what we're doing. We have a full investiative structure in place. We had major crime investigators flying last night, some more this morning to support the other Springs team who've done a wonderful job in that initial evidentiary and evidence collection process that we need to step through. We have a full structure in place. Pathologist is in our Springs. She'll be conducting an autopsy this morning and that will obviously be a crucial part of the evidence that's provided to us that helps us in our decision making.

Right, that's correct. So what that means is that when police are involved in an incident and ultimately someone in that incident passes away, there's clear guidelines that tell us what is and what isn't the death in custody. This is quite clearly falls into that category. A matter such as this will mandatorily go to the coroner's office and become an inquest. It's an obligation that the coroner has. We're investigating this matter at the moment on behalf of the coroner. Some of the information that for your listeners around what we're doing. We have a full investiative structure in place. We had major crime investigators flying last night, some more this morning to support the other Springs team who've done a wonderful job in that initial evidentiary and evidence collection process that we need to step through. We have a full structure in place. Pathologist is in our Springs. She'll be conducting an autopsy this morning and that will obviously be a crucial part of the evidence that's provided to us that helps us in our decision making.

It made public that the autopsy. In terms of if there is a cause of death identified, you.

It made public that the autopsy. In terms of if there is a cause of death identified, you.

Look normally, yes, it's not information that's closed, not disclosable within reason of course, depending on what the circumstances are, and will provide an information to the community and due course as and when we can.

Look normally, yes, it's not information that's closed, not disclosable within reason of course, depending on what the circumstances are, and will provide an information to the community and due course as and when we can.

In terms of those police officers, obviously understanding the fact that they were on duty but we're not working at the time, were they wearing body on cameras, not.

In terms of those police officers, obviously understanding the fact that they were on duty but we're not working at the time, were they wearing body on cameras, not.

To my knowledge, but there is We as part of the investigation have collected some other CCTV and footage from within that particular location at the time, which is really important for our investigation.

To my knowledge, but there is We as part of the investigation have collected some other CCTV and footage from within that particular location at the time, which is really important for our investigation.

Are you able to say what that sort of shows you at this point?

Are you able to say what that sort of shows you at this point?

So I haven't seen it. I'm not making sure my team are assessing that as we speak in ours so not my team, the team and obviously I'll know more in due course. In relation to those two officers who are involved, so one was there right from the beginning and the other one came in into the incident soon after. We've provided welfare support for those members immediately through their management team and our Springs to make sure that their well being to be managed through what will be a very difficult situation and circumstance for them. And Northern Charity Police Association are also not on the ground and also providing support to those members, and we're also provide support to the more the broader hour Springs policing community as well if there's support required.

So I haven't seen it. I'm not making sure my team are assessing that as we speak in ours so not my team, the team and obviously I'll know more in due course. In relation to those two officers who are involved, so one was there right from the beginning and the other one came in into the incident soon after. We've provided welfare support for those members immediately through their management team and our Springs to make sure that their well being to be managed through what will be a very difficult situation and circumstance for them. And Northern Charity Police Association are also not on the ground and also providing support to those members, and we're also provide support to the more the broader hour Springs policing community as well if there's support required.

For them, I mean, Assistant Commissioner, we're in a you know, we know it's always a difficult juggle for police and also you know, the community when it comes to well to policing right across the Northern territory. I mean, even over recent months we've seen a coronial inquest into the situation in you and dem We've also seen a coronial inquest just this week or last week. In terms of the impact that policing can have on police officers, I mean, are you concerned about the impact that this death in custody may have when it comes to police officers going about their duties.

For them, I mean, Assistant Commissioner, we're in a you know, we know it's always a difficult juggle for police and also you know, the community when it comes to well to policing right across the Northern territory. I mean, even over recent months we've seen a coronial inquest into the situation in you and dem We've also seen a coronial inquest just this week or last week. In terms of the impact that policing can have on police officers, I mean, are you concerned about the impact that this death in custody may have when it comes to police officers going about their duties.

Not necessarily, we're well trained, we're well skilled, we have refresher training constantly, we're well equipped and we have good supervision across our membership across the territory. But the specific so people involved in the death and custody I've been involved in personally and we've had a number over a number of years. They're really quite challenging from an individual officer perspective, and there needs to be dedicated a specific support to those members because for them, unfortunately, as a tragedy that's occurred, we have a person who's lost their life and police are involved in that, and those police officers now have to live with that for the rest of their lives. There will be an inquest. As I said, so we need to make sure that we're working with those members well to manage their well being and support them through what this looks like.

Not necessarily, we're well trained, we're well skilled, we have refresher training constantly, we're well equipped and we have good supervision across our membership across the territory. But the specific so people involved in the death and custody I've been involved in personally and we've had a number over a number of years. They're really quite challenging from an individual officer perspective, and there needs to be dedicated a specific support to those members because for them, unfortunately, as a tragedy that's occurred, we have a person who's lost their life and police are involved in that, and those police officers now have to live with that for the rest of their lives. There will be an inquest. As I said, so we need to make sure that we're working with those members well to manage their well being and support them through what this looks like.

All right, So just before I let you go, we know that there is going to be a full and thorough investigation. Now you're not expecting or certainly there's a lot of work being done to try to keep the community calm, to keep everybody calm. So our extra office is going to be required to be flown in or anything like that at this point in time.

All right, So just before I let you go, we know that there is going to be a full and thorough investigation. Now you're not expecting or certainly there's a lot of work being done to try to keep the community calm, to keep everybody calm. So our extra office is going to be required to be flown in or anything like that at this point in time.

From an investgative point of view, yes, as I said, that's our priority at the moment. We do have to the remote community that is referenced earlier. We have provided some leadership into that community to go and talk with family and engage and deal with that initial contact which has been achieved outside of that. As I said, at this stage, I implore the community to if you saw or heard anything. We do believe there may have been an incident that occurred involving the same person who's passed away soon before the incident at Cole's at the Commwolf Bank in our Springs, So if anyone may have seen something that was of interest potentially to investigators, doesn't matter how small. Please contact one three, one trough before. There is a lot of information the team is working through at the moment, and we will get back to you in due course.

From an investgative point of view, yes, as I said, that's our priority at the moment. We do have to the remote community that is referenced earlier. We have provided some leadership into that community to go and talk with family and engage and deal with that initial contact which has been achieved outside of that. As I said, at this stage, I implore the community to if you saw or heard anything. We do believe there may have been an incident that occurred involving the same person who's passed away soon before the incident at Cole's at the Commwolf Bank in our Springs, So if anyone may have seen something that was of interest potentially to investigators, doesn't matter how small. Please contact one three, one trough before. There is a lot of information the team is working through at the moment, and we will get back to you in due course.

What do you believe that incident was that it happens earlier?

What do you believe that incident was that it happens earlier?

We understand that there was a person, a female who was unknown to the person who passed away, and it was an assault that looked took place. I don't know how serious out a sight was, but where we believe that incident may have have occurred just prior to.

We understand that there was a person, a female who was unknown to the person who passed away, and it was an assault that looked took place. I don't know how serious out a sight was, but where we believe that incident may have have occurred just prior to.

The assaulted all it's correct, okay.

The assaulted all it's correct, okay.

But again we're piecing that together at the moment, and I asked the community to listen to what the police are providing into the community by way of media and updates for this That is your source of truth, not particularly social media reporting or other reporting you may hear or see. We will provide as much information as we can to provide the necessary information to inform the community. Misinformation disinformation in this space is really dangerous for the investigation and also for the welfare and wellbeing of the police officers, the community, the family of the man who's passed away. None of that is helpful in this regard well.

But again we're piecing that together at the moment, and I asked the community to listen to what the police are providing into the community by way of media and updates for this That is your source of truth, not particularly social media reporting or other reporting you may hear or see. We will provide as much information as we can to provide the necessary information to inform the community. Misinformation disinformation in this space is really dangerous for the investigation and also for the welfare and wellbeing of the police officers, the community, the family of the man who's passed away. None of that is helpful in this regard well.

Assistant Commissioner Travis Wurst, appreciate your time this morning, and no doubt police will certainly be keeping us up to date as as much as possible. Thank you for joining us on the show My pleasure.

Assistant Commissioner Travis Wurst, appreciate your time this morning, and no doubt police will certainly be keeping us up to date as as much as possible. Thank you for joining us on the show My pleasure.

Thank you,

Thank you,