An inquest is underway looking into all factual surrounding Phillip Walton’s death. His subsequent death while in custody at the Casino Police Station, on 19 March 2023, sparked widespread outrage, calling to mind legacies of Aboriginal deaths in custody. This incident has raised important questions about police culture and behavior. It points out the unacceptable way people with mental health conditions are treated when they are arrested.
Phillip Walton’s woes started when he supposedly threatened employees of a circus that came to perform at Casino Showgrounds. Officers arrested him on the scene, agitated him further and were confronted violently. During the arrest, Walton was met with pepper spray and administrated two tasers. The initial discharge shocked both him and one of the officers arresting him. This escalation of force raises questions about the appropriateness of such measures in managing individuals with known mental health conditions.
Arrest and Medical Assessment
Sergeant Wayne Crotty was the supervising officer when Walton was arrested. During his initial processing at the police station, Walton informed the arresting officers that he was a diagnosed schizophrenic. In fact, he said, he had eaten a hash cookie that very day. Due to his mental health history, officers attempted to get him evaluated. When paramedics arrived on scene, they attempted to treat him. Prior to the incident, he had been acting irrationally in the holding cell, allegedly throwing himself against the perspex walls.
Throughout the assessment, paramedics recognized Walton’s condition and communicated his schizophrenia diagnosis to Sergeant Crotty. One paramedic commented that “99 per cent of the population suffers from schizophrenia,” highlighting potential misconceptions surrounding mental health. Then they looked at Walton and determined that he is “more bad than mad.” This national finding underscores the urgent need to be thoughtful on how to address people exhibiting these types of behaviors.
Critical Moments Before Death
As Walton’s condition deteriorated, he became unresponsive. They were called out a second time in an attempt to medically sedate him, although he tragically died before their arrival. How the situation turned from bad to worse almost instantly. The resulting video showed three officers—and a random bystander—running to haul him into a police cruiser, with a clear indication that time was of the essence.
What made the incident involving Phillip Walton so uniquely infuriating is the way he was treated. 36 Americans are calling for more transparency and accountability from law enforcement departments. The purpose of this inquest is to get to the bottom of what caused his preventable death. It will judge too if the right procedures were observed in dealing with vulnerable people.
