Cop ‘distraught, gutted’ over car fire deaths comments
Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll has entered the home of Hannah Clarke’s parents to offer her personal condolences and apologise for the remarks of a top cop that enraged social media.
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POLICE Commissioner Katarina Carroll at arrived at the home of Hannah Clarke’s family today to offer her personal condolences and apologise for the “unfortunate” remarks made by Detective Inspector Mark Thompson.
Insp Thompson stood aside voluntarily from the investigation today after his comments caused outrage on social media.
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Insp Thompson told media yesterday police had to keep “a completely open mind” about the case as they continued to investigate
“We need to look at every piece of information and, to put it bluntly, there are probably people out there in the community that are deciding which side, so to speak, to take in this investigation.
“Is this an issue of a woman suffering significant domestic violence, and her and her children perishing at the hands of the husband?
“Or is it an instance of a husband being driven too far by issues that he’s suffered by certain circumstances into committing acts of this form?”
The statement generated outrage on social media.
“I apologise, from the QPS to the victims, or anyone that may have been offended and hurt by this,” Ms Carroll said today.
“It was an officer trying to explain a process and then had a little too much to say about it.”
Ms Carroll described Insp Thompson as an “extremely committed … brilliant investigator” who was “devastated” by how he spoke.
She said Insp Thompson voluntarily stood aside after he was asked by her due to the distraction his comments generated around the investigation.
In a statement this morning, Ms Carroll said: “I have spoken to Detective Inspector Mark Thompson who was very upset about the situation.
“To ensure public confidence I have asked Detective Inspector Thompson to step aside from the investigation.”
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Ms Carroll said Insp Thompson was “extremely distraught” over the way his comments had been construed.
“Detective Inspector Mark Thompson is a dedicated veteran of policing with over 20 years’ service to Queensland and is committed to ensuring a thorough and effective investigation for the victims of this crime,” acting union president Mark Reid said.
“Mark is extremely distraught over the way his comments, made during a lengthy media conference, have been construed.
“Mark is a committed, devoted and caring husband and father, and Mark has a very strong personal stance against the crime of domestic and family violence.”
However he had voluntarily stood aside to maintain the integrity, confidence and continued support of the community, and avoid any distraction for the investigation “to ensure the best outcome for the victims’ family.”
“The QPCOU sends its deepest sympathies to the family of the victims for their loss,” Mr Reid said.
Ms Carroll said Insp Thompson comments listened to in isolation were “hurtful” and standing aside him was necessary for the integrity of the investigation.
“There are people obviously making derogatory comments out there about us, about the officer. And if there is noise going on there I want to make sure that we are concentrating on what the issue is at the moment,” she said.
“He knows for the integrity and the confidence of what’s occurred that someone else could better stand in the position and take the investigation over.
“He’s a good man, he does wonderful work in our agency … and this is an unfortunate set of circumstances that we find ourselves in.”
She said Insp Thompson “like the rest of us believes that domestic violence is nothing but a scourge on society.”
Commissioner Carroll said the murder of Hannah Clarke and her three children would be thoroughly investigated to determine if police could have intervened earlier or prevented what occurred.
“We’ve done a lot of work with Hannah and Her family,” she said.
“There will be a thorough investigation now of every aspect of this case,” she said.
“In every person in every agency that had a touch point with the family, and what decisions were made.”
Sorry, what? pic.twitter.com/bhQlIcyLCq
— Tamsin Rose (@tamsinroses) February 20, 2020
What is meant by 'a man driven too far' as a potential explanation for murdering a woman and three children?
— beverley wang (@beverleywang) February 20, 2020
I am trying to keep an open mind about the QLD police's need to keep an open mind, but that statement is really testing me.#HannahBaxter #HannahClarke
Dear @QldPolice
— 🚒Catherine Perry. (@CatPurry9) February 20, 2020
There is no justification for the brutal murder of 3 children in a car fire. No one is "driven to" setting their children alight. Any members of QPS seen not to condemn this evil behaviour will be seen to be excusing it. There is no "open mind" on murder!
Ms Carroll said in her statement: “The Queensland Police Service apologises for comments made during a media conference yesterday about the deaths of five people in Camp Hill.
“A thorough investigation is being conducted on behalf of the coroner.
“However, at this stage the investigation is being treated as the murder of Hannah Clarke and her three children Aaliyah, Laianah and Trey. The death of Rowan Baxter is not being treated as suspicious.
“This is a shocking tragedy which has affected the whole community.
“Our thoughts are particularly with the family and loved ones.
“The QPS remains committed to working with partner agencies to prevent domestic and family violence and reduce its harm on the community.
“Our officers are committed to addressing the scourge of domestic and family violence, and particularly focused on supporting victims.”
Speaking to the ABC earlier today, Ms Carroll apologised for the detective’s choice of words.
“I apologise to the community and victims about what’s been said,” she said.
She also mentioned how Insp Thompson was “distraught” and “gutted” after listening back to the press conference.
“He can’t believe how he said that,” she said.
Insp Thompson had been asked if “murder-suicide” was the one line of inquiry being pursued.
He was also questioned as to what he meant by the suggestion police were looking “at whether he (Baxter) was driven too far to have done this”.
“Is there something you’re looking at recently that’s occurred between them that may have sparked it?” one reporter asked.
Insp Thompson replied: “Absolutely not. I’m not leaning towards that at all.
“What I was trying to illustrate by my comments were that you do see both in public commentary and in general responses from the community that people will make those allegations.
“Maybe they are scorned members of the community themselves that have had dealings with domestic violence in the past and that’s the sort of things that they say in response to an incident like this.
“I am certainly not saying that the Queensland Police Service are taking any view in relation to that at all. We are not doing that. We are keeping an open mind and doing an open investigation which is exactly what we are to do and we are under the direction from the state coroner to do that.”
He asked people to come forward and “build a complete and clear picture” for the coroner.
“What I was trying to illustrate is if there are people out there making the comments such as what I’ve just described, then, please, come forward and substantiate these claims,” he said.
“Help us with the information we need to build that picture for the coroner.
“Coronial issues like this have the ability to drive reform amongst issues like domestic and family violence. It is extremely critical people come forward.”
The Queensland Police Commissioned Officers Union said Insp Thompson was “extremely distraught” over the way his comments had been construed.
“Detective Inspector Mark Thompson is a dedicated veteran of policing with over 20 years’ service to Queensland and is committed to ensuring a thorough and effective investigation for the victims of this crime,” acting union president Mark Reid said.
“Mark is extremely distraught over the way his comments, made during a lengthy media conference, have been construed.
“Mark is a committed, devoted and caring husband and father, and Mark has a very strong personal stance against the crime of domestic and family violence.”
However he had voluntarily stood aside to maintain the integrity, confidence and continued support of the community, and avoid any distraction for the investigation “to ensure the best outcome for the victims’ family.”
“The QPCOU sends its deepest sympathies to the family of the victims for their loss,” Mr Reid said.
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