Find out how a typo on a 000 call turned this man’s life upside down
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Disclaimer: The names with asterisks have been changed for privacy purposes.
We all know that mistakes happen—after all, we’re only human. But sometimes, a simple error can have truly shocking consequences. That’s exactly what happened to one Western Australian man, who found himself behind bars not once, but twice, all because of a single misspelled name.
A Typo with Terrible Consequences
It all started with a phone call to Triple 0 in January 2023. Someone reported a man allegedly stealing a boat, while at the same time, the man in question called emergency services himself, saying he felt threatened by the boat’s owner and needed police help. In the chaos, the Triple 0 operator entered his name incorrectly—typing 'Mark Smith*' instead of 'Marc Smith'.
That one little typo set off a chain reaction. The misspelled name matched an outstanding arrest warrant for a completely different person. When police arrived, they took statements but didn’t double-check the man’s details. They also found him with a public transport SmartRider card that wasn’t his, which only added to their suspicions.
Despite the man’s protests that his name was wrong, officers didn’t listen. They took his fingerprints, but never compared them to the warrant. Because of the supposed outstanding warrant, police refused him bail, and he spent a night in lockup—completely innocent.
A Magistrate Spots the Error—But the Nightmare Isn’t Over
The next day in court, a magistrate finally noticed the mistake. The charges were dismissed, and the man was released. You’d think that would be the end of it, but incredibly, the same thing happened again three months later.
The man returned to the same police station seeking help, only for an officer to enter the incorrect spelling of his name into the system again. Up popped the same old warrant, and he was arrested and detained a second time. Only after further checks did police realise their mistake and let him go.
A Systemic Failure
The Western Australian Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC) investigated the incidents and was scathing in its report. The CCC found that basic police procedures weren’t followed—officers didn’t check the man’s details, didn’t confirm his fingerprints, and ignored his attempts to correct the error. The watchdog said the whole ordeal could have been avoided with 'basic checks' and called the failure 'concerning'.
While police did investigate themselves, they decided there wasn’t enough evidence to lay charges for deprivation of liberty. However, the CCC questioned this decision, saying the man—described as vulnerable—should never have spent a night in custody.
Police Response and Lessons Learned
WA Police have since admitted they 'did not always get it right' and said three officers received 'sustained managerial outcomes' (essentially, formal warnings or disciplinary action). A spokesperson pointed out that police handle around 1.5 million calls for help every year, but acknowledged that 'even one mistake is one too many'.
The force says it’s always looking for ways to improve its systems, policies, and procedures to better protect the community and support officers.
Could This Happen to You?
This story is a sobering reminder of how easily things can go wrong when details are overlooked. For many of us, especially as we get older, dealing with government agencies and emergency services can be stressful enough without worrying about being mistaken for someone else.
Here are a few tips to help protect yourself:
Have You Ever Been Caught Up in a Bureaucratic Blunder?
We’d love to hear from you! Have you or someone you know ever been caught up in a mix-up with the police or another government agency? How did you resolve it? Share your stories and tips in the comments below—your experience could help others avoid a similar ordeal.
And remember, while mistakes can happen, it’s important that our systems are robust enough to catch them before they turn into nightmares like this one. Stay vigilant, and always double-check the details!
We all know that mistakes happen—after all, we’re only human. But sometimes, a simple error can have truly shocking consequences. That’s exactly what happened to one Western Australian man, who found himself behind bars not once, but twice, all because of a single misspelled name.
A Typo with Terrible Consequences
It all started with a phone call to Triple 0 in January 2023. Someone reported a man allegedly stealing a boat, while at the same time, the man in question called emergency services himself, saying he felt threatened by the boat’s owner and needed police help. In the chaos, the Triple 0 operator entered his name incorrectly—typing 'Mark Smith*' instead of 'Marc Smith'.
A man had a frustrating ordeal with authorities over a wrong name. Image Credit: Pexels/Gilberto Olimpio
That one little typo set off a chain reaction. The misspelled name matched an outstanding arrest warrant for a completely different person. When police arrived, they took statements but didn’t double-check the man’s details. They also found him with a public transport SmartRider card that wasn’t his, which only added to their suspicions.
Despite the man’s protests that his name was wrong, officers didn’t listen. They took his fingerprints, but never compared them to the warrant. Because of the supposed outstanding warrant, police refused him bail, and he spent a night in lockup—completely innocent.
A Magistrate Spots the Error—But the Nightmare Isn’t Over
The next day in court, a magistrate finally noticed the mistake. The charges were dismissed, and the man was released. You’d think that would be the end of it, but incredibly, the same thing happened again three months later.
The man returned to the same police station seeking help, only for an officer to enter the incorrect spelling of his name into the system again. Up popped the same old warrant, and he was arrested and detained a second time. Only after further checks did police realise their mistake and let him go.
A Systemic Failure
The Western Australian Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC) investigated the incidents and was scathing in its report. The CCC found that basic police procedures weren’t followed—officers didn’t check the man’s details, didn’t confirm his fingerprints, and ignored his attempts to correct the error. The watchdog said the whole ordeal could have been avoided with 'basic checks' and called the failure 'concerning'.
While police did investigate themselves, they decided there wasn’t enough evidence to lay charges for deprivation of liberty. However, the CCC questioned this decision, saying the man—described as vulnerable—should never have spent a night in custody.
Police Response and Lessons Learned
WA Police have since admitted they 'did not always get it right' and said three officers received 'sustained managerial outcomes' (essentially, formal warnings or disciplinary action). A spokesperson pointed out that police handle around 1.5 million calls for help every year, but acknowledged that 'even one mistake is one too many'.
The force says it’s always looking for ways to improve its systems, policies, and procedures to better protect the community and support officers.
Could This Happen to You?
This story is a sobering reminder of how easily things can go wrong when details are overlooked. For many of us, especially as we get older, dealing with government agencies and emergency services can be stressful enough without worrying about being mistaken for someone else.
Here are a few tips to help protect yourself:
- Always check your details: If you’re ever involved in a police matter, make sure your name, address, and other details are recorded correctly.
- Speak up: If you notice a mistake, insist on having it corrected immediately. Don’t be afraid to ask for a supervisor if you’re not being heard.
- Know your rights: If you’re wrongly detained, you have the right to legal representation and to have your case reviewed.
Have You Ever Been Caught Up in a Bureaucratic Blunder?
We’d love to hear from you! Have you or someone you know ever been caught up in a mix-up with the police or another government agency? How did you resolve it? Share your stories and tips in the comments below—your experience could help others avoid a similar ordeal.
