Police criticised over response to domestic violence incidents before Tina Greer disappeared

Police responses to domestic violence against missing mum Tina Greer by the violent bikie later suspected of murdering her has been strongly criticised at an inquest.

The police response to incidents of domestic violence perpetrated against a missing woman by a violent bikie later suspected of murdering her has been strongly criticised at an inquest.

In her closing submissions counsel assisting Stephanie Williams told an inquest into the disappearance of Tina Greer from Scenic Rim in January 2012 that the response of police to the violence perpetrated by Finks bikie Les “Grumpy” Sharman on Mr Greer “fell short of what was expected. “

The inquest has heard evidence of occasions where Ms Greer was threatened with a firearm, left “black and blue” or feared she would die but police failed to charge Sharman or take out domestic violence orders against him.

“Each interaction with police, prior to Tina’s death, presented an opportunity to offer her support or referral to a domestic and family violence service. That did not occur,” Ms Williams said.

“Each interaction offered an opportunity to follow up with Tina afterwards to see whether she wished to make a complaint. That did not occur.”

Tina Greer went missing in January 2012.

Ms Williams said the reasoning of Sgt Peter Boyce, officer-in-charge of Boonah police station, for not searching Sharman’s property after reports a distraught Ms Greer was overheard saying the bikie held a gun to her head and wanted a shoot out with police in 2010 was “nonsensical”.

“That a search for firearms did not occur because it was likely that Sharman would have hidden any weapons, as suggested by officer-in-charge Boyce, is not only in my submission nonsensical but a failure to investigate a suspected criminal offence as well as properly investigate whether or not Ms Greer was an aggrieved,” she said.

“There is no job card record or any other police written record of any contact with Tina Greer. Sergeant Boyce’s evidence was he spoke to a woman over the telephone who said she was Tina Greer. He accepted though that he did not independently verify that caller’s identity nor … confirm Tina Greer’s well being in person.”

Sgt Boyce told the inquest he believed the CIB were also handling the matter and the woman on the phone denied the incident and didn’t want to engage with police.

Les ‘Grumpy’ Sharman

In another incident later that year police were called to Lake Moogerah Rd after a bloodied Ms Greer was seen running down the road with Sharman behind her and a report of a car crash. On arrival, police observed Ms Greer’s left eye was completely closed, right eye swollen and she had a cut on her nose, Ms William said.

Senior Constable Peter Edbrooke immediately suspected domestic violence and separated the pair, she said.

“During the conversation Les Sharman made repeated indirect admissions to assaulting Tina, none of those were entered on the Qprime occurrence” she said.

Ms Greer told police she had injured herself while mowing, which was entered into the police database.

Despite police recording that DV appeared to be occurring in the relationship and the likelihood of it happening again was “moderate” no protection order was made.

“Each incident primarily involves domestic and family violence, and should have been investigated as such,” Ms Williams said.

SES and police during the search for Ms Greer after her disappearance. File picture

Ms Williams said in 2012 a homicide detective reviewing the incidents felt the response had been inadequate which was “indicative that even in the culture and the training standards of the day, the responses by Boyce and Edbrooke fell short of what was expected”.

However Ms Williams said the investigation into Ms Greer’s disappearance was “prompt and extensive”.

“From the time that Tina was reported missing, she was considered a high risk missing person. Substantial police resources were expended during the active investigation phase,” she said.

“It’s my ultimate submission that the evidence supports a finding that the Queensland Police Service investigation into Tina’s disappearance was adequate.”

She said there was enough evidence to find Sharman killed Ms Greer on or about January 18 2012 but not sufficient evidence as to where or how the 32 year old died.

Tina Greer was seen running down the road with Sharman behind her and a report of a car crash.

Ms Williams criticised the response of the Salvation Army Gold Coast Recovery Services Fairhaven’s to Ms Greer’s disclosures of domestic abuse. She found there was little evidence of any improvement in how the drug and alcohol rehabilitation service supports domestic violence victims.

She urged the inquest to recommend the Salvation Army immediately prioritise the training of Fairhaven staff in domestic violence and how to support victims.

Ms Williams praised Ms Greer’s daughter Lili, who was 13 when her mother disappeared, for pursuing an inquest which was initially refused.

“This inquest has revealed a number of opportunities for meaningful change … Lili Greer is to be commended for her perseverance and resilience in advocating for it and in doing so advocating for her mother and other victims of domestic violence,” she said.

Coroner Kerrie O’Callaghan said Ms Williams submissions that she make adverse findings against certain parties “may well be disputed” and that would be put either orally in writing to her by their legal representatives at a later day.

“My findings remain open as to what conclusions I’ll come to based on submissions received by all parties,” she said.