Woman sues police after brother dies in custody
The sister of a man who was shot and tasered during an arrest is suing police, claiming officers breached their duty of care.
Steven Woodhouse died at Reservoir, north of Melbourne, on 11 November 2023 after being taken into custody by Critical Incident Response Team officers.
Mr Woodhouse’s sister Shaye is suing Victoria Police in the Supreme Court, alleging officers breached their duty of care and assaulted her during an arrest.
A paper submitted in early December states that Mr Woodhouse suffered catastrophic injuries after being hit with bean bag bullets and receiving a taser.
The officers were not named in the civil suit, although their identities are known to the Woodhouse family and police.
It is also alleged that Victoria Police failed to properly supervise, control or train its employees, officers and/or agents.
Ms Woodhouse is seeking aggravated and exemplary damages, claiming she has suffered injuries and damages as a result of her brother’s death.
A Victoria Police spokesman said the Homicide Squad investigation into the incident was continuing.
The statement stated that the Professional Standards Command also supervised the process, as is standard practice in cases of death in custody.
“Such investigations are often complex and Victoria Police is committed to ensuring they are investigated thoroughly,” the spokesman said.
“We recognize the impact of such incidents on all parties involved and seek to prioritize them accordingly, but there will be cases where investigations will take more time for different reasons.”
It comes after two officers were charged following the death of Luke Briggs in a separate incident in Melbourne’s south-west in July 2024.
The 35-year-old builder allegedly became unresponsive during an arrest in Hoppers Pass and died in hospital eight days later.
Constable Alexander Papanastassis, 29, and Sergeant James Fitzgerald, 49, were charged with negligent manslaughter in relation to Mr Briggs’ death and appeared in court in September.
Mr Briggs’ family also filed a civil claim against Victoria Police in October, claiming two officers breached their duty of care.
