‘Idiotic’ and ‘cruel’ Victoria police welfare policy leaves detainees too tired for a fair trial, judge says

A Victorian Supreme Court judge, Justice Michael Croucher, has criticized Victoria Police's policy of conducting hourly night-time welfare checks on detainees. The judge described the practice as "idiotic" and "cruel," stating that it causes significant sleep deprivation. Justice Croucher warned that this sleep deprivation could jeopardize detainees' right to a fair trial, particularly in regional courts where accused individuals are held in local police stations. He urged Victoria Police to reconsider its approach to welfare checks to avoid impacting the fairness of criminal trials, especially those of substantial duration. The judge's criticism highlights concerns about the impact of police procedures on the well-being and legal rights of individuals in custody.

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