June 8: Cyclist’s widow seeks apology for police conduct
Posted by admin on 06/8/06 in Kapunda Road Royal Commission
The wife of the cyclist whose death prompted the Kapunda Road Royal Commission wants the South Australian Police Commissioner to apologise for the way officers handled the incident. Di Gilchrist’s husband was killed riding his bicycle in late 2003 when he was struck by a car driven by Eugene McGee.
A Royal Commission found the police investigation which followed was open to criticism and inadequate. Mrs Gilchrist has read a Police Complaints Authority review of the subsequent response by police to the Commission’s findings, but is unimpressed by its contents.
“I continue to be insulted by SAPOL’s (South Australian Police) lack of acknowledgment of the incompetent and inept standards employed of the night of November 30, 2003,” she said. “I request that Commissioner Mal Hyde apologises to my family for what has occurred.” A spokeswoman for the Commissioner says no comment will be made about Ms Gilchrist’s views. Police Minister Paul Holloway says it is a matter for the police.
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Julie McIntyre | Jul 10, 2006 | Reply
I agree, Di Gilcrist and her family should receive an apology. My family has also been subject to poor investigation and should receive a formal apology. 19mths ago my son was killed by a driver who blew .048 alcohol. Even though the offender made a fatal error of judgement the police did not ask him to submit to a blood test. Nor did they check if he was using a mobile phone. Both these errors could have altered the charge. Although we received a verbal apology from John Venditto who was at the time in major crash it is cold comfort. As a result the driver received a $750.00 fine and 8 months license suspension. He never appeared in court and we did not get to read a victim impact statement. How can we expect offenders to face accountabilty when our so called professionals dont. We did not get a sorry from the offender and the police wont admit they are wrong under any circumstances. SAD as it is thats justice