Police shooting in Sydney to be probed

Another panicky dickless Tracy and an attempt to cover up for her. Female police should not be given guns

THE fatal shooting of a mentally ill man by a NSW police officer and whether police tried to cover up the facts will be the focus of a public hearing in Sydney.

Adam Salter, a 36-year-old web designer and enthusiastic rock climber, was shot in the back by Sergeant Sherree Bissett at close range as he stabbed himself in the throat on November 18, 2009.

The Police Integrity Commission (PIC) has been investigating Mr Salter's death and the police investigations that followed.

A public hearing into the case begins on Monday.

Statements to the media by NSW police are being scrutinised as part of the probe which will examine whether accounts given by police about Mr Salter's death were accurate and truthful.

Emergency services were called to the Lakemba home of Mr Salter's father Adrian Salter in southwestern Sydney after reports that Mr Salter, who had a history of depression, psychosis and schizophrenia, was harming himself.

During the incident, Sgt Bissett, one of four officers at the scene, rushed into the kitchen and yelled, "Taser, Taser, Taser", before firing the fatal shot.

Deputy State Coroner Scott Mitchell in October 2011 found there was "real doubt" the shooting was justified and labelled the police intervention at the home an "utter failure".

Police reports after the shooting were "most unsatisfactory", "potentially misleading" and contained a "false version of events", he found.

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