Summary
How best to respond to and
manage intoxicated offenders is a
concern shared by policing agencies
across Australia. Intoxicated offenders
present additional behavioural and
health risks during their interactions
with police. These risks may result in
harm to the officers, the offender or the
community. This research examined
how intoxication influences the nature
and magnitude of the risk associated
with police officer/offender interactions.
Using data from the National Deaths in
Custody Program, a qualitative sample
of 41 cases were analysed. These cases
involved offenders who died in police
custody and who, according to autopsy
results, had alcohol or drugs in their
system at the time of death.
Results showed that, while intoxication
influences an offender’s behaviour and
health, the overall level of risk during
the interaction was determined by the
interplay between these two elements
and the police response. This interplay
between intoxicated behaviours,
health risks and police responses
should be considered in the
development of policies and practices
to minimise harm.