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Anger reaches boiling point after death in custody on Palm Island

27 November 2004 - PALM ISLAND: Two police officers have been transferred off Palm Island in north Queensland as community anger threatens to boil over in the wake of the death of an Aboriginal man in custody.

Up to 200 people from the Aboriginal community off Townsville marched on the island's police station earlier this week, demanding answers to the death of a 36-year-old man, known as Cameron, last Friday.

The father of two, described as a "quiet man" who was reportedly healthy and crabbing early on Friday morning, was arrested for being drunk and disorderly later that day.

Police said he became violent while in the island's watchhouse and was placed in a cell with another man, where he subsequently fell asleep.

A short time later, he was found to be pale and had a weak pulse, and died before ambulance officers could revive him.

Palm Island Council chairwoman Erykah Kyle said the march on the police station had started spontaneously and was fuelled by growing community anger with police.

"The community is very devastated," Ms Kyle said.

"Shock has just gone right through the community. People have been very angry.

"After 339 recommendations regarding deaths in custody, and hundreds of thousands of dollars, here we are approaching 2005 and it is still happening."

Ms Kyle, whose own son died in custody in 2001, said the level of incarceration of her people was unacceptable.

"Certainly something has got to change for Palm Islanders," Ms Kyle said.

"If it keeps going you can expect anything."

Another Palm Island community member, Elizabeth Clay, said the community had reached boiling point and was planning another protest.

Ms Clay said she had not seen such a level of anger, particularly among younger community members who were asking if excessive force was involved in Cameron's arrest.

Queensland Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson has agreed to a council request to remove the officer in question from the island.

He, and an Aboriginal police liaison officer, have been temporarily transferred off the island as a safety precaution.

The Crime and Misconduct Commission is investigating the death as well as that of a second Aboriginal man who died while in police custody at Normanton on Saturday.

The Police Ethical Standards Command is also investigating, while a delegation of police officers is on Palm Island to liaise with the community over the issue.

Palm Island earned the dubious title of the most violent place on Earth outside a combat zone in the 1998 Guinness Book of Records.

Further information: palm island issues page - includes news index and external links

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