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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2010-09-14 Daily Xml
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Ministerial Statement

KEMPPAINEN, MS PIRJO

The Hon. M.J. WRIGHT (Lee—Minister for Police, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:19): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. M.J. WRIGHT: First, I offer my condolences to the family and friends of Pirjo Kemppainen. I can only begin to imagine the devastating impact these tragic circumstances are having on her family, friends and members of the Callington community. I know nothing can lessen the pain and grief of their loss. However, I wish to extend my sincere sympathies to her family and friends.

On Monday 13 September the death of Ms Pirjo Kemppainen was declared a major crime and is currently the subject of a comprehensive and ongoing investigation. A major crime investigation team has been dedicated to the case and is being assisted by a range of SAPOL specialist teams, including the STAR Group, forensic officers, dog operations and police divers. SAPOL has assured me that the increased police presence in Callington will be maintained for as long as necessary.

Today I received a briefing from the Commissioner of Police in relation to the events leading up to the discovery of Ms Kemppainen at her home by her brother at approximately 5pm on Saturday 11 September 2010. The commissioner has advised me that on Saturday 11 September at 12.35am Ms Kemppainen telephoned the 131444 police assistance line to report that stones had been thrown at her house. Ms Kemppainen apparently did not see who threw the stones but was of the opinion that two 14-year-old boys may have been responsible. I am further advised that the call centre operator established from the complainant that the rock-throwing incident occurred approximately five minutes before Ms Kemppainen telephoned the call centre and that the alleged offenders had run off.

The commissioner has informed me that the call was one that should have been attended by police and the correct procedure would have been to enter a computer-aided dispatch tasking for patrol attendance in accordance with call centre standard operating procedures. A comprehensive review will be conducted into the manner in which the call was handled. It will also look into training, policy, operating procedures and supervision to see if any improvements can be made.

I am advised by the commissioner that there was an error of judgment on behalf of the operator who took a police incident report but did not refer the call to the communications centre for follow-up by a police patrol. South Australia Police receive hundreds of thousands of calls every year to the 131444 and 000 numbers which are dealt with correctly. The processes that have been in place for many years have served the community and SAPOL well.

Unfortunately, on this occasion, it appears that an error of judgment by the call taker resulted in the matter not being referred to Police Communications Branch for a patrol to be dispatched. With investigations at an early stage, now is not the time to be jumping to conclusions. It is important we allow the investigation to run its course and wait and see what the evidence tells police. However, I can rule out resourcing as a factor in this incident.

This is a tragic incident. However, it must be remembered that day in, day out the dedicated men and women of the South Australian police force work hard to keep the people of South Australia safe. They carry out their work with integrity and great professionalism. I am proud of our police force and I believe we have the best police force in the nation. It has always had, and will continue to have, my full support.

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