Police enact urgent DV reforms in the wake of Kelly Wilkinson death

A warts-and-all internal review into the death of Gold Coast mother Kelly Wilkinson has identified three areas Queensland police will change their operations when dealing with domestic violence complaints.

Queensland police have been told to turn on body-worn cameras in every interaction with domestic violence complainants, after a review into the shocking death of Gold Coast mother Kelly Wilkinson.

Kelly’s horrific death, allegedly at the hands of her estranged husband Brian Earl Johnston, raised major concerns over how police responded to her complaints in the days before she died.

The Queensland Coroner has ordered the Ethical Standards Command to take charge of the coronial investigation, but the Queensland Police Service has also carried out an internal review, identifying three key areas to address.

A briefing has been delivered to every police district in the state, with officers instructed to turn on body-worn cameras in every interaction with a domestic violence complainant wherever possible.

The use of body-worn cameras has become increasingly prevalent in modern policing, but they are not activated for every incident or encounter.

Kelly Wilkinson was allegedly murdered by her estranged husband Brian Earl Johnston. Picture: Facebook

Officers have also been told to accurately record all contacts with people in domestic violence situations as well as receiving education on bail issues.

Johnston was charged with serious criminal offences just days before Kelly died, but walked free from a Gold Coast police station without even having to apply for bail.

There has also been conjecture over how many times Kelly visited police to voice her concerns in the lead-up to her death.

Assistant Commissioner Brian Codd, head of the QPS domestic and family violence command, said the measures were independent of any findings that may stem from the coronial investigation.

Head of the QPS domestic and family violence command, Assistant Commissioner Brian Codd. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“That is a completely separate process, this is about us looking for areas that we can improve,” he said.

Johnston, 34, has been released from hospital and transported to jail on remand as he awaits his day in court over the horrific allegations.

The former US Marine is accused of killing Kelly after setting her on fire in a suburban backyard.

Johnston spent almost two weeks in an induced coma due to his own burns, but after several weeks recovering in the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, he has now been transferred to Arthur Gorrie jail and then Wolston Correctional Centre, where he remains in the prison’s hospital care unit.

Still heavily bandaged, Johnston is unable to hold a pen to write, but has spoken with his American-based family, who are trying to navigate the logistics of joining him in Australia.

Brian Earl Johnston. Picture: Facebook

Johnston was formally charged with murder and other offences at his hospital beds in April, but he is yet to face court.

He has not made an application to apply for Supreme Court bail and is due to face Southport Magistrates Court for mention on July 16.

Originally published as Police enact urgent DV reforms in the wake of Kelly Wilkinson death