TASMANIA POLICE

INCIDENT REPORT

Report Number: IR-2018-07-29-1847
Classification: Workplace Injury - Officer Injured During Operational Duties
Security Level: Restricted - Personnel File
Date Filed: 30 July 2018
Time Filed: 08:45

REPORTING OFFICER INFORMATION

Name: LAHEY, Sarah Jane
Rank: Detective Constable
Badge Number: TAS-3192
Employee ID: CID-2247
Division: Criminal Investigation Branch - Organised Crime Division
Station: Tasmania Police Headquarters, Hobart
Supervisor: Detective Sergeant Charlie Claiborne
Contact: 0412 XXX XXX

INCIDENT CLASSIFICATION

Type: Workplace Accident - Officer Injury
Category: Accidental Injury During Search Operations
Severity: Moderate (Medical Treatment Required)
Lost Time: Yes (Medical Leave)
Reportable: Yes (Officer Injured During Duty)

INCIDENT SUMMARY

On 29 July 2018 at approximately 16:15 hours, I sustained injuries whilst conducting a lawful search of residential premises at 2 Wallcrest Road, Berriedale, Tasmania. The injuries consisted of a laceration to my right palm and blunt force trauma to my head, both resulting from an accidental fall during the search operation. Medical treatment was sought at Royal Hobart Hospital Emergency Department, where I received sutures for the hand laceration and was assessed for concussion.

INCIDENT DETAILS

Date of Incident: 29 July 2018
Day of Week: Sunday
Time of Incident: Approximately 16:15 hours
Duration of Incident: Less than 5 minutes
Location: 2 Wallcrest Road Road, Berriedale, TAS 7010
Property Type: Residential dwelling (split-level house)
Weather Conditions: Overcast, dry
Lighting Conditions: Natural daylight diminishing (late afternoon), interior lighting poor

OPERATIONAL CONTEXT

Investigation Reference: Case File 016-035 (Missing Persons - Jamie Greyson)

Operational Purpose:
Search of residential premises occupied by persons of interest in ongoing missing persons investigation. Premises is the primary residence of Jamie Greyson and Luke Smith, both subjects of active investigation.

Authority for Search:
Consent search with occupant cooperation. Property access granted by Gladys May Cramer, who identified herself as close family friend and keyholder. No search warrant required due to voluntary cooperation.

Officers Present:

• Detective Constable Sarah Lahey (myself) - injured party
• Detective Karl Jenkins - partner, witness to incident

Civilians Present:

• Gladys May Cramer - provided property access, located elsewhere in residence at time of incident

DETAILED NARRATIVE OF INCIDENT

Pre-Incident Context:

Detective Jenkins and I arrived at 2 Wallcrest Road at approximately 15:45 hours to conduct a search of the premises in connection with the missing persons investigation. We were accompanied by Gladys Cramer, who had agreed to provide access to the property.

Upon arrival, we waited in the living area whilse Ms Cramer conducted an initial walkthrough of the residence. Ms Cramer indicated she was searching for her close friend (believed to be Jamie Greyson) and was cooperating with our investigation.

Detective Jenkins and I proceeded to search the rear bedrooms.

Incident Occurrence:

At approximately 16:15 hours, I was conducting a search of what appeared to be the spare bedroom at the rear of the residence. The room was in a state of disarray, with various items scattered on the floor, including what appeared to be rubbish bags and other miscellaneous objects.

The lighting in this room was poor - the sun was setting and the interior lighting was inadequate.

Whilst moving through the room to examine items near the far wall, I failed to observe an obstruction on the floor (exact nature unclear due to the cluttered state of the room). I lost my footing and fell forward.

As I fell, I instinctively extended my right hand to catch myself. My palm made contact with broken glass from a window that had been damaged (window was already broken upon our arrival - damage appeared to be pre-existing, not caused during our search). The glass was located on the floor beneath the window frame.

The momentum of my fall continued forward, and the left side of my head struck the wall adjacent to the window with considerable force. The impact was sufficient to cause immediate pain and disorientation.

Immediate Aftermath:

I remained conscious throughout the incident. Upon falling, I immediately assessed my injuries and noted:

• Significant laceration to my right palm, bleeding moderately
• Severe pain in my head, specifically the left temporal area
• Dizziness and mild disorientation from the head impact

I called out to alert Detective Jenkins, who responded immediately to the room. I informed him that I had fallen and sustained injuries requiring medical attention.

Detective Jenkins, with the assistance of Ms Cramer, provided immediate first aid, applying pressure to the hand laceration using clean fabric to control bleeding. The bleeding was moderate but steady, requiring sustained pressure for several minutes.

Post-Incident Actions:

Once the bleeding was somewhat controlled, Detective Jenkins assisted me to a standing position. I experienced significant dizziness upon standing but was able to remain upright with support.

I used the sleeve from my work shirt to create a pressure bandage for my hand, tearing the fabric to provide adequate coverage of the wound. This makeshift bandaging controlled the bleeding sufficiently to allow transport to medical care.

Detective Jenkins offered to drive me to hospital, but I assessed that I was capable of driving myself and preferred to do so. Detective Jenkins remained at the scene to continue conducting interview with Ms Cramer.

I departed the scene at approximately 16:30 and drove directly to Royal Hobart Hospital Emergency Department, arriving at approximately 17:30 hours.

INJURIES SUSTAINED

Right Hand - Palm Laceration:

• Location: Right palm, extending from mid-palm toward base of thumb
• Length: Approximately 4.5 centimetres
• Depth: Deep laceration requiring medical closure
• Treatment: Wound cleaned, irrigated, closed with 6 interrupted sutures at Royal Hobart Hospital
• Treating Medical Staff: Jackson Roberts RN, Dr Finn Montgomery
• Expected Recovery: 10-14 days, sutures to be removed in 10 days
• Functional Impact: Reduced grip strength, limited use of right hand, pain with movement

Head Injury - Left Temporal Area:

• Location: Left side of head, temporal-parietal region
• Type: Blunt force trauma with resultant haematoma and concussion
• Symptoms: Severe headache, nausea, light sensitivity, dizziness, difficulty concentrating
• Treatment: Neurological assessment, observation period (4 hours), concussion diagnosis
• Treating Medical Staff: Dr Finn Montgomery (comprehensive neurological examination)
• Expected Recovery: 7-14 days for symptom resolution
• Functional Impact: Significant impairment of cognitive function, inability to work

Medical Diagnosis (per Hospital Discharge Summary):

1. Moderate Concussion (Post-Concussive Syndrome)
2. Right Palm Laceration (sutured, 6 stitches)

MEDICAL TREATMENT RECEIVED

Royal Hobart Hospital Emergency Department:

• Date: 29 July 2018
• Arrival Time: 17:30 hours
• Discharge Time: 30 July 2018, 00:15 hours
• Length of Stay: 6 hours 45 minutes

Treatment Provided:

• Triage assessment (RN Rachel Thomson)
• Wound irrigation and cleaning (RN Jackson Roberts)
• Local anaesthetic administration (8ml Lidocaine 1%)
• Primary wound closure with 6 interrupted sutures (4-0 nylon)
• Sterile dressing application
• Comprehensive neurological assessment (Dr Finn Montgomery)
• 4-hour observation period for concussion monitoring
• Pain management (Paracetamol)
• Anti-nausea medication (Metoclopramide)

Medical Restrictions Imposed:

• [Redacted]

Follow-Up Required:

• GP review: 1 August 2018 (3 days post-injury)
• Suture removal: 8 August 2018 (10 days post-injury)
• Return-to-work medical clearance: [Redacted]

WITNESS INFORMATION

Primary Witness:

Name: Detective Karl Jenkins
Rank: Detective
Badge Number: TAS-2891
Employee ID: CID-1856
Relationship to Incident: Partner officer, present at scene

Witness Account Summary: [Redacted]

Civilian Witness:

Name: Gladys May Cramer
Date of Birth: 17/08/1981
Address: [On file in investigation records]
Relationship to Incident: Civilian providing property access

Witness Account Summary: Ms Cramer was present in the residence at the time of the incident but was located in a different area of the property. She did not directly witness the fall. She was informed of the incident after it occurred and observed that I had sustained injuries requiring medical attention.

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS

Environmental Factors:

1. Poor Lighting: Interior lighting in the bedroom was inadequate for safe navigation, particularly given the late afternoon timing and overcast conditions reducing natural light
2. Cluttered Environment: Room contained significant disorder, with items scattered on floor creating tripping hazards
3. Pre-existing Hazard: Broken window glass on floor created sharp object hazard that was not immediately visible in poor lighting conditions
4. Unfamiliar Environment: First time conducting search of these premises, unfamiliar with layout and existing hazards

Human Factors:

1. Attention Divided: Focus was on searching for evidence rather than on environmental hazards
2. Inadequate Lighting Compensation: Mobile phone torch provided insufficient illumination for safe navigation through cluttered space
3. Time Pressure: Late afternoon timing created pressure to complete search before losing natural light entirely

Equipment Factors:

1. Inadequate Lighting Equipment: Standard mobile phone torch insufficient for safe navigation in poorly lit residential spaces
2. No Protective Equipment: Standard duty uniform does not include gloves or protective equipment that might have reduced severity of hand laceration

PREVENTATIVE MEASURES AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Immediate Actions Taken:

1. Sought appropriate medical treatment for injuries
2. Notified supervisor (DS Claiborne) of incident per protocol
3. This incident report filed within required timeframe

Recommendations to Prevent Similar Incidents:

1. Improved Lighting Equipment: Consider issuing high-powered torches or portable lighting equipment for searches in poorly lit environments
2. Environmental Assessment: Conduct preliminary hazard assessment of search locations before commencing detailed search activities
3. Protective Equipment: Consider appropriate protective gloves for searches in environments with potential sharp hazards
4. Search Protocols: Review protocols for searching in hazardous or cluttered environments to minimise officer risk
5. Partner Communication: Maintain closer communication between partners during searches to enable faster response if incident occurs

OPERATIONAL IMPACT

Immediate Impact:

• Search of 2 Wallcrest Road suspended following incident
• I was unable to complete assigned search activities
• Detective Jenkins completed securing premises but detailed search remained incomplete
• Investigation timeline potentially affected by my medical absence

Ongoing Impact:

• [Redacted]

Mitigating Actions:

• DS Claiborne briefed on incident and operational impacts
• Investigation continuity maintained through Detective Jenkins's ongoing work
• Follow-up search of 2 Wallcrest Road can be scheduled when I return to duty or completed by other officers if required urgently

SUPERVISOR NOTIFICATION

Supervisor: Detective Sergeant Charlie Claiborne
Notification Method: Phone call (by hospital per protocol for injured officer)
Notification Time: 29 July 2018, approximately 18:05 hours
Supervisor Actions: Attended hospital, received briefing from medical staff and injured officer, arranged transport home.

ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS

Medical Leave:

• [Redacted]

Work Restrictions:

• [Redacted]

Property Damage:

• None to police equipment
• No damage caused to searched premises beyond pre-existing conditions
• Personal clothing (work shirt) sacrificed for first aid purposes - no claim filed

Equipment Status:

• All police-issued equipment intact and accounted for
• Badge, firearm, identification, radio: All secured appropriately
• No equipment lost or damaged during incident

PHOTOGRAPHS AND EVIDENCE

Photographic Evidence: Not collected at time of incident due to medical emergency and need for immediate treatment. The following photographs would have been relevant but were not taken:

• Scene of fall (bedroom layout and hazards)
• Broken window and glass on floor
• Lighting conditions in room

Physical Evidence:

• Medical records from Royal Hobart Hospital (on file)
• Discharge summary and treatment notes
• Medical certificates for leave
• Blood-stained shirt sleeve used for first aid (discarded at hospital)

Scene Status:

Premises at 2 Wallcrest Road secured by Detective Jenkins following incident. Scene not specifically preserved for injury investigation as mechanism was clear and accidental in nature.

DECLARATION

I declare that the information provided in this incident report is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and recollection. The incident occurred as described, and I have made this report in good faith in accordance with Tasmania Police policy and procedures.

I understand that this incident report will be retained in my personnel file and may be reviewed for administrative, training, or investigative purposes. I acknowledge that I am required to cooperate with any follow-up inquiries or reviews related to this incident.

I confirm that I sought appropriate medical treatment immediately following the incident and am complying with all medical restrictions imposed by treating physicians. I will not return to operational duties without appropriate medical clearance.

Reporting Officer:
Detective Constable Sarah Jane Lahey
Badge Number: TAS-3192
Employee ID: CID-2247

Signature: S.J. Lahey
Date: 30 July 2018
Time: 08:45

SUPERVISOR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I acknowledge receipt of this incident report. I have reviewed the circumstances described and am satisfied that the incident has been appropriately documented. The injured officer has been granted appropriate medical leave and will not return to duties without medical clearance.

I will monitor the officer's recovery and ensure appropriate follow-up, including review of recommendations for preventing similar incidents.

Supervisor:
Detective Sergeant Charlie Claiborne
Signature: C. Claiborne
Date: 30 July 2018
Time: 08:55

Report Status: Filed and Approved
Distribution: Personnel File, Division Commander, Occupational Health and Safety, Medical Records
Security Classification: Restricted - Personnel Information
Retention: Permanent (Personnel File)

END OF INCIDENT REPORT