ABORIGINAL WOMAN REMOVED FROM ROYAL PERTH HOSPITAL ROOF AS COMMUNITY RAISES CULTURAL RESPONSE CONCERNS
BY TANGIORA HINAKI
An Aboriginal woman was removed from a lower-level roof at Royal Perth Hospital on Monday morning, after climbing onto the building in what police have described as a mental health-related incident.
Onlookers contacted Ngaarda Media shortly before 10 am, saying the woman had been on the roof for some time while police maintained a presence below.
One witness, Michael Rickards, said he arrived at the hospital for a cardiology appointment at about 9.50 am and found the situation already underway.
“We went to our appointment in cardiolog,y and when we came back out she was still up top with little to no action by police,” Mr Rickards said.
Mr Rickards said he saw police ask family members to leave the hospital grounds.
“While standing out the front, I witnessed police tell the young lady’s family to leave hospital grounds, then shout that if they didn’t they’d be moved on,” he said.
“They ended up being escorted off the RPH property, leaving their young family member stranded on the roof with no familiar faces.”
He said he and others told officers that family members could speak to the woman in language to help calm her, but claims that request was refused.
“We told the police that family can talk language to help her. They refused,” he said.
“I even offered to help pay for a plane ticket so someone could come sit with her and book it. I’ve been through this with my wife and I know ways to deal with it without hurting someone.”
Mr Rickards said police later moved him and other bystanders away from the area. He alleges that shortly after, officers brought the woman to the ground.
“One officer brought her to ground by pulling her legs, then two male officers with face coverings and assault rifles ran at her, grabbed her by the throat, lifted her up and slammed her onto the tin roof,” he said.
Ngaarda Media has viewed a video of officers restraining the woman on the roof. The earlier moments described by Mr Rickards were not captured in the footage provided.
In a message sent to WA Police Deputy Commissioner Allan Adams, Mr Rickards said the situation may have been handled differently if Aboriginal female officers had been present.
“I think the situation would’ve been better if an Aboriginal female police officer had been in attendance. She felt very scared, and being off Country it was strange for her,” he wrote.
“I appreciate you have protocols and procedures, but in this instance, Aboriginal police should’ve been front and centre to provide cultural awareness.”
He also suggested cultural awareness training for negotiators and officers, including engagement with Kimberley and Pilbara cultural providers.
WA Police told Ngaarda Media they could not comment on the incident at this time, citing privacy and the fact that it relates to mental health.
The woman’s condition has not been publicly confirmed.
Ngaarda Media understands the incident has raised broader concerns among community members about culturally appropriate responses to Aboriginal people experiencing mental health distress, particularly those from regional and remote areas who are off Country in Perth.
This is a developing story.