Police Union slams delay in Wieambilla massacre evidence release
Police compiling the Wieambilla massacre brief of evidence have requested further time in an ‘unusual’ step which has been slammed by the Union.
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Police compiling the Wieambilla massacre brief of evidence have requested further time so the service can consider redacting information it deems “privileged information”, it can be revealed.
Constable Matthew Arnold, 26, and Constable Rachel McCrow, 29, were shot dead by Nathaniel, Gareth and Stacey Train when they walked on to the Trains’ property in the Western Downs on December 12 in 2022.
Neighbour Alan Dare was also killed. Police have said the Trains subscribed to Premillennialism and believed Christ would return to earth for a period of 1000 years after a period of widespread destruction.
The Courier-Mail has been told police have taken what has been described as an “unusual step” to request further time to consider what is potential privileged information before sending the brief to all of the parties involved in the coronial inquest due later this year.
It’s understood the brief of evidence is in the thousands of pages.
Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said the move was outrageous and the grieving families of Constable McCrow and Constable Arnold should be privy to all of the information available.
“Any action by the Queensland Police Service to redact, conceal or hide evidence in the Wieambilla investigation raises serious concerns about who the QPS are trying to protect and why they are even attempting this peculiar action,” Mr Leavers said.
“It may well be a serious conflict of interest as these investigators have an obligation to prepare independent evidence for the Coroner however appear to now be actively trying to hide information.
“The QPU understands the investigation may reveal some details and facts that will be hard for all of us to hear but we owe it to the Arnold, McCrow and Dare families so that there can be answers about what occurred and full transparency surrounding the events leading up to the murder of their loved ones and our colleagues.
“I have spoken with the Arnold and McCrow families and they share my concerns about the process being further delayed and that there has been no explanation or consideration for the emotional angst these senior QPS investigators are causing for everyone involved.
“We all want, need and demand answers without censorship or concealment. This should be a process to get to the truth not a ‘David versus Goliath’ battle with the QPS who appear to be trying to smother facts with unnecessary secrecy and zero transparency that only causes more hurt and further erodes trust.”
The Courier-Mail asked the Queensland Police Service if the service why the request had been made, who made the decision and who would determine what information was privileged.
The service was also asked what would be deemed “privileged information” relating to a coronial inquest and whether there was any potential conflict if the Ethical Standards Command compiled the brief for the coroner and had also requested it have time to consider what evidence was included.
A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said: “It is not appropriate for the Queensland Police Service to comment on matters that are relevant to the upcoming coronial hearing that commences on July 29, 2024.”
A third pre-inquest conference is expected to be held in May.
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