Complaints against Brett Forte’s widow, police partner ‘ill-advised’, inquiry finds

The family of slain officer Brett Forte say his wife and police partner are owed an apology after they were investigated for raising “reasonable concerns” about his murder.

• Premier distances govt from key DV integrity recommendation
• Cops in DV report keep jobs as anti-vax officers sacked

THE widow and police partner of slain officer Senior Constable Brett Forte were targeted in “ill-advised” disciplinary proceedings after raising “reasonable concerns” about his murder, a commission of inquiry has found.

The Commission of Inquiry into Queensland Police Service Responses to Domestic and Family Violence used the plight of Senior Constable Susie Forte and Senior Constable Cath Nielsen to criticise the service for creating a “culture of fear of speaking up”.

Brett, a father-of-three, was gunned down by fugitive gunman Ricky Maddison five years ago after the domestic violence offender led police into an ambush in the Lockyer Valley.

Sen Const Nielsen dragged a dying Brett from their police car while under machine gun fire.

Senior Constable Brett Forte and his wife, Senior Constable Susie Forte.

Maddison was then killed by Special Emergency Response Team officers following a 20-hour siege.

Both Susie and Sen Const Nielsen told an inquest they were bullied and targeted after raising questions about whether certain police knew enough to warn officers when they followed Maddison down the isolated road where he opened fire.

The Commission of Inquiry report criticised a Senior Sergeant from the Ethical Standards Command for making a complaint against both women for failing to report misconduct, as well as a criminal complaint of perjury, after they gave evidence at the inquest.

“Both women were victims of serious criminal offending and were entitled to be treated accordingly,” the inquiry report said.

“Further, the complaint was made while the inquest was still in progress and no findings had been made.

“In the Commission’s view, it was ill-advised for the complaints to have been brought against either woman in these circumstances.”

Senior Constable Catherine Nielsen leaving court after giving evidence at the Brett Forte Inquest at Toowoomba. Picture: Liam Kidston

Following the Senior Sergeant’s complaints, an investigation by the unit found there was insufficient evidence the women had committed perjury and that it was “important to understand that both Catherine Nielsen and Susan Forte are affected persons and victims of crime”.

The ESC report also stated the “reintegration of any officer returning to work after a critical incident should be managed with an appropriate level of compassion, understanding and support.

“This is … in line with Queensland Victim of Crime principal rights of being treated with respect, courtesy, compassion, dignity and considering victim needs.”

The complaint about their failure to report misconduct was “not consistent with the principles of victim support”, the unit found.

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll. Picture: NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

The Commission of Inquiry report said many police had expressed their “disquiet and sorrow” at how the women had been treated, “including in having complaints filed against them after raising their concerns at the inquest”.

Brett’s brother Luke said the women deserved an apology for how they’d been treated.

“They should be given a formal apology from the Commissioner,” he said.

“Getting threatened (with disciplinary action) during the inquest, during one of the hardest parts of their life, can you imagine not only Susie’s trauma, but Cath’s trauma as well?”

Asked about the matter at a press conference, Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said she was seeking further information.

“I need to be better briefed as to how and why that occurred,” she said.

“But those people who are so important to us, the widow and … the partner of Brett, we need to really surround and look after.”