Queensland Police Service investigated response to domestic violence incident after police dropped off drunken violent man at victim’s home

Minutes after Toowoomba police left an abuser with his family, a loaded rifle was being pointed in the faces of a woman and her children which sparked an investigation and internal review among police. 

TWO police officers were disciplined over their handling of a 2020 domestic violence incident where a man threatened to shoot his wife and children minutes after he was returned to their address.

This week, Toowoomba District Court was told the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was drunk in Toowoomba on the night of September 12, 2020.

After receiving strange messages, the man’s wife called police for a welfare check.

While initially telling police she was “content” to have him returned to their property, she later said she wasn’t comfortable with him at the address. Despite her request, and the man joking he had a weapon in the house, police left him at the home.

Minutes later, the man went on a violent rampage, where for 45 minutes he tormented his wife and two children with a loaded rifle.

A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said an internal review into the incident was self-initiated by senior management.

“The review found that attending police could have managed the incident differently,” she said.

“Both officers were subsequently disciplined, and the victim notified of the outcome.

“The QPS responds to most domestic and family violence incidents effectively, however acknowledges there have been some instances which could have been managed in more appropriate ways, achieving better outcomes.

“We continue improving our response and reviewing practices to ensure victims and their children are protected.”

Toowoomba South MP David Janetzki said everyone deserved to feel safe and respected.

“We need to send a clear message that violence and control over another is never acceptable,” he said.

“I want to see increased services in our area, not only for victims to help them find safety, but also for perpetrators to break the cycle of abuse.”

Originally published as Queensland Police Service investigated response to domestic violence incident after police dropped off drunken violent man at victim’s home