Police shooting before integrity watchdog

8 Jun 2012, 6:13 pm   -   Source: AAP

The police shooting of mentally ill Sydney man Adam Salter and a subsequent investigation will be investigated in a public hearings by the PIC.

The police corruption watchdog will hold public hearings on the shooting death of a mentally ill man in a police intervention that a coroner labelled an "utter failure".

Adam Salter, a 36-year-old web designer and enthusiastic rock climber, was shot in the back by Sergeant Sherree Bissett at close range as he stabbed himself in the throat on November 18, 2009.

The Police Integrity Commission (PIC) has been investigating Mr Salter's death and the police investigations that followed.

The hearings will focus on whether accounts given by police officers about his death were accurate and truthful, the commission said in a statement on Friday.

The commission will also look at the critical incident investigation that police conduct when an officer fires a weapon.

The review of that investigation by the NSW Police Force will also be scrutinised.

Emergency services were called to the Lakemba home of Mr Salter's father Adrian Salter in southwestern Sydney, after reports that Mr Salter, who had a history of depression, psychosis and schizophrenia, was hurting himself.

During the incident, Sgt Bissett, one of four officers at the scene, rushed into the kitchen and yelled, "Taser, Taser, Taser", before firing the fatal gunshot.

Deputy State Coroner Scott Mitchell in October 2011 found there was "real doubt" the shooting was justified and labelled the police intervention at the home an "utter failure".

He also said "the investigation was seriously flawed" and a "failure and disgrace".

The commission will hear applications on July 27 from people who wish to appear or be legally represented at a public hearing on August 27.

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