Family, politicians demand answers, end to internal police probes after Sarah Miles’ death minutes from station
Loved ones, an ex-magistrate and leaders have demanded answers after a beloved mum-of-three died more than an hour after cops were called – allegedly at the hands of her partner just three minutes drive from a police station.
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Loved ones, an ex-magistrate and local leaders have demanded crucial answers and much-needed change after a beloved mum died at home more than an hour after help was called – allegedly at the hands of her partner – just three minutes drive from Casino Police Station.
Kirsty Lee – best friend of slain mum-of-three Sarah Miles, 40 – has slammed the police response time as Dwayne John Creighton, 31, lingers behind bars on remand charged with domestic-violence related murder.
Creighton has not entered a plea and is due to face Lismore court again on August 28.
‘Why didn’t they act?’
“Calls were made to police – why didn’t they act?” Ms Lee told this publication.
It comes as the Greens have barracked for desperate change, including an end to internal police probes, to drive down alleged domestic violence deaths.
Creighton was arrested after Ms Miles was found unconscious suffering from head injuries when Richmond Police officers arrived at a Johnston St property on Saturday, June 29.
Tragically, Ms Miles could not be revived and died at the scene.
A critical incident investigation was announced and NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley ordered an independent review after it came to light police came upon the horrendous scene more than an hour after triple-0 operators were told of screaming in the home.
An internal police investigation will be subject to an independent review by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) - and now the NSW Coroner.
Ms Lee asked: “There are so many stations and officers, even in the surrounding areas.”
“Why didn’t they act when the first call came through? My best friend might still be here today with her family and her kids,” she said.
“I am utterly heartbroken. I miss you Sarah, you will never be forgotten.
“Fly high my beautiful friend – you’re safe now.”
Ms Lee spoke out after Clarence MP Richie Williamson backed local officers, but described the response time as “most alarming”.
The Nationals politician said he believed it only took two minutes for Casino cops to scramble to help when reports hit their station.
Family and friends of Ms Miles spoke up on social media - one relative labelling the situation “utter bullcrap”.
She wrote it was “traumatic” and that it made her “extremely angry,” calling for more help for Ms Miles’ family from politicians and authorities.
Ms Miles’ son Shayden Miles said in a 9News interview “words cannot describe the pain that I am feeling”.
“My mother was a very strong person, (a) fighter always to the end,” he said.
“I’m so proud of her and I’m proud to have her as my mother and I’m proud to have been her son.”
Mr Miles said he was “dealing with the fact that she was (allegedly) waiting for an hour on the floor and that is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life”.
Page Nationals MP Kevin Hogan also spoke of the “tragedy for the Casino community”.
“Reports the triple-0 call was logged as a priority three, instead of a priority one and led to a delayed police response are exceptionally concerning,” he said.
“It’s imperative we understand what has caused the delay and ensure it never happens again.
“Our community must have confidence that if they call triple-0, it will be treated as a matter of urgency.”
‘Grave concerns’: Law expert
Former NSW magistrate and coroner David Heilpern was quick to weigh in – condemning internal police probes.
“For many years there have been grave concerns expressed from all tiers of the criminal justice system about police investigating police,” he said.
“We have independent complaint and investigative authorities for all doctors, lawyers, judges and politicians – the public deserve the same for police.”
Regarding the LECC, Mr Heilpern said: “It should be noted that the lead investigators are police, with reviews only by other police, and monitoring by the external agency. This does not give the public confidence.”
“Too often police have been shown to have insufficiently or inadequately investigated their own, and there is a cultural history of cover-up,” he said of cases more broadly.
“In my view, that culture is changing, but where there is an apparent systemic failure that may have directly led to a death, then I would have thought it is to everyone’s advantage for the investigation to be led completely independently.”
“Even if the matter ends up in a criminal murder trial, the NSW Coroner can still provide judicial oversight by way of an inquest.”
Greens Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) and justice spokesperson Sue Higginson also called for an end to internal police probes.
“This is another tragedy. Another woman’s death in my home region and another (alleged) domestic and family violence fatality where police allegedly took too long to respond,” she said.
“Once again the NSW government is allowing police to investigate where the police failed, Surely enough is enough,”
“It seems that the Minister would like to pin the blame for this tragic death on triple-zero.
“We know how this goes – we’ve relied upon this system for years and it is not changing anything. It’s not protecting people, helping police or keeping communities safe.”
She said despite “moral panic” there was “ample” police resources in Casino.
“The problem is how those resources are being used, and in this case, how they aren’t being used,” she said.
“Richmond Police District investigated just 19 of 67 misconduct complaints made by members of the public last year.”
Ms Higginson said there were “legitimate and longstanding community concerns”.
She said officers were attending “non-urgent issues” and apprehending “non-dangerous people” despite “a rash of serious domestic violence offences – too often lethal”.
Ms Higginson said the LECC “does exceptional work” but was hamstrung by “limited powers” and it was “shocking” to see NSW Police “routinely frustrates even basic LECC oversight measures”.
“We shouldn’t have to stand for this from the police leadership team. They are letting down victims, their loved ones, police officers and the community as a whole,” she said.
“Unfortunately, the NSW Police Force has proven incapable of investigating their own, especially in matters of domestic and family violence.
“In two-thirds of domestic violence investigations, officers do not comply with their own operating procedures and three-quarters of investigations into violent incidents are inadequate.”
Ms Higginson called on the government to have “a serious rethink of how and when the police are being used, the causes of crime and the culture of policing”.
In a written response, NSW Police pointed to the LECC’s involvement and said “it would be inappropriate to comment further” at this time.
However, Ms Catley said: “This is a horrific situation and I want to apologise to the family for the tragic loss they’re enduring.”
The NSW Coroner will also have some oversight in this case, alongside the LECC, the minister confirmed.
“If there are recommendations that come out of that then the NSW government and the NSW Police Force will look at those,” she said.
She said the government and police “take domestic violence extremely seriously – it’s a top priority”.
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