WARNING: This story contains the name and image of an Aboriginal person who has passed.
The family of a Noongar man who died after being arrested by Victoria Police have called for the release of bodycam footage of the incident.
On November 9, Jeffrey Winmar was pursued by multiple police units in Reservoir, in Melbourne's northern suburbs.
The 28-year-old was eventually caught, arrested by police, and taken into custody.
However he was hospitalised not long after, and two days later he died.
Remembered by his community
A vigil, organised by Dhadjowa Foundation, was held on Friday night at Aunty Alma Thorpe Gathering Place in Preston to honour Mr Winmar.
The attendees gathered not only to remember the young man, but also call for justice and truth about what happened in the period between his arrest and hospitalisation.
Mr Winmar's family expressed serious concern about police conduct and demanded to see both bodycam and drone footage of their loved one.
Dardi Munwurro CEO Alan Thorpe speaking to the crowd during the vigil. Credit: Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service
"He was part of a big family, a brother to many. He enjoyed visiting his family, and often called up the family members just to have a chat," he said.
"Jeffrey grew up in Perth and moved to Melbourne ... he took on the role of a big brother and protector for younger siblings who lived there."
He described his son as a "beacon of positivity" who "carried his culture and his strong belief in Christianity with him everywhere he went", as well as being a dedicated father and an avid Geelong fan.
Mr Winmar expressed the family's frustration about the continuing uncertainty around his son's death.
"We have been told conflicting information and we are waiting for answers about what happened," he said.
"With the support of the Aboriginal community in Victoria, Western Australia and across the country, we will fight for justice for our Jeffrey.”
'No real accountability'
Aboriginal organisation, Dardi Munwurro CEO, Alan Thorpe also knew Jeffrey. He said he was a "great young man" who was "full of life".
Mr Thorpe was a key player in organising the vigil for Jeffrey's family and said it deeply affected him.
"One of the things that really hit me, it was painful to see, his young boy who is only 8 or 9 was holding his dad’s photo at the vigil, staring at his dad," he said.
“What does this do for that kid? This is his first experience with police . . . this is the ripple effect something like this has on families and communities, it spurs the distrust.”
Mr Thorpe said the death has furthered an already deep distrust of police in the local Aboriginal community.
"There's no real accountability. How can you comprehend or justify a 28-year-old dying in custody, you can’t," he said.
"We haven’t had a great history with police, and if things keep going as they are, it won't get better."
Mr Thorpe has called for an independent third party to investigate deaths in custody, and hold responsible parties accountable.
“We need to have an external person to go back through these cases and investigate, hold police accountable for deaths in custody," he said.
“Until we get real justice, I don’t reckon much will happen."
Mr Winmar became the third Aboriginal death in custody in the last month in Australia.
NITV contacted Victoria Police for comment. As the matter is before the Coroner, they were unable to comment at this time.
