Vic: Call for open investigation into police shooting

AAP General News (Australia)
12-12-2008
Vic: Call for open investigation into police shooting

The Victorian Criminal Justice Coalition says police must conduct an independent and
open investigation into the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old boy.

Representing more than 50 legal .. academic and community service organisations ..

the group says it's concerned about an emerging pattern of high levels of police shooting
deaths .. evident in the 1990s.

Convenor Father PETER NORDEN's warned against a "closed shop" investigation into the
incident .. or a police media relations campaign to justify the use of deadly force.

Father NORDEN also says the coalition's advocated for more than 15 years .. for an
increase in specialist response teams to people suffering disturbed behaviour.





Officers fatally shot the boy in the chest as he approached and allegedly threatened
them with two knives in the Melbourne suburb of Northcote .. about 9.30 (AEDT) last night.

Police say they fired warning shots and used two hits of capsicum spray to subdue the
boy .. with no apparent effect.

AAP RTV mok/ce/tm/af

KEYWORD: SHOT JUSTICE (MELBOURNE)

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