A forensic report is being prepared into the death of a 29-year-old man who was in police custody.
The man was arrested about 1.55am on Saturday morning after police received reports he was acting “suspicious and erratically” in the northern Hobart suburb of Moonah.
A 29-year-old man died in Hobart Reception Prison after being detained in the early hours of Saturday.
He was taken to Hobart Reception Prison, where he remained on remand.
The man was found unconscious at 2.30am and, despite subsequent attempts by police and paramedics to revive him, he died a short time later.
Deputy Commissioner Adrian Bodnar said the man had been arrested for ‘“a simple offence” under the Police Offenses Act.
“Certainly people are not arrested just because they look suspicious, there are other elements… that the police have to be satisfied with,” he said.
Deputy Commissioner Bodnar said he could not comment on why the man became unresponsive.
‘As the matter is now before the coroner, I am very limited in what I can say. “That will obviously be part of the forensic investigation and the coroner will consider it,” Deputy Chief Bodnar said.
Deputy Commissioner Adrian Bodnar said the coroner is investigating the man’s death.
Police are preparing the report for the coroner, who will investigate all aspects of the man’s death, including the circumstances of his arrest.
The death is also being investigated by Tasmania Police Professional Standards Command and the Integrity Commission has also been notified.