NSW Police announce new gun handling rules for officers after couple’s alleged murder

NSW police have implemented new gun handling rules after an off-duty officer was charged with allegedly murdering two men with a service weapon.

Former senior constable Beau Lamarre-Condon allegedly murdered two men while he was off duty using a NSW Police service weapon.

The NSW Police Force has implemented new gun handling rules after an off duty police officer allegedly murdered two men using a service weapon.

Commissioner Karen Webb called for an immediate review of the issue, storage and movement of firearms when former senior constable Beaumont Lamarre-Condon allegedly killed Qantas flight attendant Luke Davies, 29, and TV presenter Jesse Baird, 26.

Police allege Lamarre-Condon shot the two men with a NSW police service weapon when he broke into Mr Baird’s Paddington home on February 19.

He has since been charged with domestic violence related murder and break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence. He has remained in custody since his arrest and has not entered pleas.

Qantas flight attendant Luke Davies, 29, was allegedly murdered by a former police officer when he broke into the home of TV presenter Jesse Baird and shot them with a NSW Police service weapon. Picture Supplied

Following the alleged shooting, the NSW Police Force set up the Firearms Policies and Practices Review Working Group to examine legislation and consider the risks associated with the movement of firearms from a designated station to another location.

The review identified areas of improvement such as technological advancements to monitor and track the movement of firearms.

Commissioner Webb said while the review was completed the work to implement the recommediations was ongoing.

The commissioner said they used the expertise of Victoria Police and other external agencies to gain insights so they could implement the best practice going forward.

Commission Karen Webb said while the review into its policies and procedures surrounding the storage and movement of firearms was complete, the work to implement the recommendations was ongoing. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

“I would like to thank all those involved in the review for their commitment to ensuring better oversight of police arms and appointments,” she said.

“While the work is not yet complete, I am confident the review and its recommendations represent a clear path for improvement in this area.”

Key recommendations from the review include digitising an application form to store firearms and appointments away from an officer’s host command.

The police will also seek funding to digitise a firearms movements register which will enable them to track and report on the location of firearms in real time, along with storage locations and inspection compliance.

They have also created a compliance manual for all officers handling firearms.

Originally published as NSW Police announce new gun handling rules for officers after couple’s alleged murder