Inquest into death of William Grimes reveals need for District Duty Officers

As crime in the Wide Bay continues to soar, an inquest into the tragic death of a Maryborough man has also revealed the desperate need for a specific type of senior cop in the region. FULL DETAILS, POLL.

District duty cop out logo

As an inquest on the Fraser Coast in late October 2022 attempted to unravel the circumstances that led to a man’s tragic death at a Maryborough school, one important issue was raised again and again.

It revealed an urgent need for a specific type of senior police officer across the Wide Bay region - a District Duty Officer; a mobile police officer with experience who can provide support and advice in the field.

This week, Fraser Coast Chronicle, Gympie Times and Bundaberg NewsMail will lead a campaign pushing for the urgent allocation of these officers to the Wide Bay to support police attending serious incidents.

At the inquest held in the Hervey Bay Courthouse, the moment William George Grimes, 31, was tasered after he doused himself with fuel on March 3, 2020, at Granville State School was in the spotlight.

On that night, Mr Grimes, who had schizophrenia, ran from the police while holding a jerry can and a lighter and threatening to self-harm.

The Wide Bay urgently needs District Duty Officers.

The inquest heard from experts who were unable to determine if it was the lighter in Mr Grimes’ hand or the taser used by police that ignited the flames that caused burns to 70 per cent of Mr Grimes’ body.

Mr Grimes died of his injuries a week later in hospital in Brisbane.

During the inquest, the role of District Duty Officers was raised repeatedly.

Testimony was given by Detective Sergeant Dave Perry, who investigated the incident.

Sgt Perry was in Maryborough that week to investigate a separate incident involving a death in custody.

He was on the scene of the Granville incident just a few hours after it happened.

While speaking of what he discovered during his investigation into what he called “very unique circumstances”, Sgt Perry highlighted the role of DDOs and how they can help co-ordinate and lead officers at serious incidents.

He said DDOs were not currently used in the region.

The most experienced officer at the scene the night Mr Grimes died had seven years’ experience, the inquest was told, while the other three had between one and five years of experience.

An inquest was held into the death of Maryborough's William George Grimes.

“I think they are an invaluable tool when it comes to providing clear instructions and rules surrounding critical and serious incidents,” Sgt Perry told the inquest.

Barrister Troy Schmidt suggested a DDO should be employed at Gympie, Bundaberg and Maryborough, working different shifts to provide advice and leadership across the region, even if it was via telephone.

Sgt Perry said a DDO in the region would be a “very good option”.

It is understood the Wide Bay is the only region from the Gold Coast to Cairns that does not have a DDO, but the creation of five positions would give coverage to the region seven days a week, 24 hours a day, with a senior officer always just a phone call away.

DDOs are typically senior sergeants with more than 15 years’ experience on the force.

All four of the officers who were called to the scene to try to help Mr Grimes that night agreed that a DDO would have been a valuable resource.

The issue of DDOs will be considered as part of Coroner Terry Ryan’s findings, due to be handed down in the next few months.

But we believe Wide Bay should not have to wait any longer and action should be taken now.

A spokeswoman for the Queensland Police Service said it would not be appropriate to comment while the matter was subject to coronial proceedings.

“The QPS will thoroughly consider any recommendations put forward by the Coroner,” she said.

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