‘Mental demons’: The families of slain Wieambilla cops speak out amid increased demand for mental health support

The families of the two young police officers murdered at Wieambilla have spoken of their “unbearable” heartache and the “mental demons” they continue to face nearly two years after the deadly ambush.

The families of the two young police officers murdered at Wieambilla have spoken of their “unbearable” heartache and the “mental demons” they continue to face nearly two years after the deadly ambush.

Constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold and civilian Alan Dare were murdered by doomsday killers Nathaniel, Gareth and Stacey Train on December 12, 2022.

“We continue to struggle with our mental demons … time isn’t healing our wounds,” the McCrow and Arnold families said in a statement.

“The initial impact of Rachel and Matt being murdered at Wieambilla in December 2022 was absolutely devastating – every aspect of our lives imploded.

“Nearly two years on, our pain is still very raw … the heartache is unbearable.”

It comes as the McCrow and Arnold families called on the community to help “future-proof” Blue HOPE, a not-for-profit charity which has experienced increased demand following the deadly ambush and recent inquest.

Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold were murdered by doomsday killers Nathaniel, Gareth and Stacey Train on December 12, 2022.

Constable Rachel McCrow’s mother Dr Judy McCrow, who read a statement on behalf of both families, said the support provided by the charity was even more critical “in the wake of Wieambilla”.

“We know how vital it is to have someone in your corner like Blue HOPE,” Dr McCrow said.

Speaking ahead of National Police Remembrance Day, the McCrow and Arnold families said: “the everyday risks of law enforcement have never been more apparent”.

“Even a so-called ‘routine’ job can have far-reaching and devastating consequences.”

“Despite being staffed by a handful of volunteers and relying solely on donations, they have helped more than 1600 former and serving officers nationally – mainly in Queensland – and dealt with thousands of other inquiries in the past decade.

“As we now await the Coroner’s recommendations after the recent inquest which highlighted serious operational failings that we believe could have prevented the murders of Matt and Rachel, we urge the community to please step-up and ‘help the helpers’.”

Blue HOPE founding director, Detective Sergeant Andrew Ayres, who is also a volunteer, said the charity was “extremely grateful” to have the support of the McCrow and Arnold families.

“Every dollar we get is hard earned, so the families’ support is extremely important – and timely – because in a way we’ve become a victim of our own success.” Det Sgt Ayres said

Blue HOPE – formed in 2014 to support police officers and their families to cope with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicide and other mental health issues – complemented work being done by the QPS and the Queensland Police Union.

Rachel McCrow’s mother Dr Judy McCrow reads a statement, with Matthew Arnold’s parents Terry and Sue Arnold behind her. Picture: David Clark

Det Sgt Ayres said the Wieambilla massacre and subsequent inquest had been “trauma triggers” for police across the nation.

“I’ve been a police officer for more than 30 years and even I was questioning my own mortality – and unfortunately, the harrowing details which emerged during the recent inquest have aggravated those concerns.” Det Sgt Ayres said.

Det Sgt Ayres said the charity’s “potentially lifesaving support” had connected with hundreds of police officers since Wieambilla.

“The stigma that’s attached to police officers reaching out for help is what’s effectively preventing them from doing so,” he said.

“Police officers are seeing more trauma in eight hours than some people do in an entire life … how do we manage that? Well we have got to provide them with an opportunity to speak in a non-judgmental environment where they can vent and get all the bad stuff off their chest and know that they can come back to work and still do their job.

“Life is hard, you’re a parent, you’re looking after your kids, you’re looking after your marriage and on the back of that you have got to go to work and deal with the problems of complete strangers for 8 to 10 hours a day.”

Asked about the recent inquest and subsequent revelations about police radio failures, Det Sgt Ayres said: “We will 100 per cent support anything that improves the operation capabilities of police officers statewide”.

“Sadly police officers do exactly the same thing that Matt and Rachel did on that day, it is part of our daily duties … making welfare checks, knocking on doors, going to a dozen properties a day, following up general police inquiries … no one expects that to happen.”

To donate to Blue HOPE visit: https://bluehope.org.au/donate