A forensic psychiatrist suggests that systemic problems within the Vancouver Police Department led to the death of an aboriginal man in an alley.
Dr. Shabehram Lohrasbe suggested at a public inquiry into the death of Frank Paul that the homeless aboriginal man should have been seen by a doctor or nurse when he was brought to the police drunk tank on Dec. 5, 1998.
Instead, Paul was refused admission and then dumped by a police officer in the alley, where he was found dead of hypothermia a few hours later.
Lohrasbe suggested Const. David Instant, the young officer who left Paul in the alley, was confused about what to do with him and was trying to please a superior who insisted Paul wasn't drunk.
Lohrasbe says people in authority, including police officers, can easily and subconsciously dehumanize people like Paul, a chronic alcoholic.
He says institutions like police departments and hospitals need to train staff to deal with difficult people under stressful situations.
