Any review of NSW Police firearm handling procedures should be conducted by an independent body with the findings made public, says Redfern Legal Centre.
According to NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb, Victoria Police has been asked to conduct a review of NSW Police’s firearm handling procedures.
Samantha Lee, Senior Solicitor, Police Accountability practice at Redfern Legal Centre, says, “We need to move away from police reviewing police and police procedures.”
“Police have access to the highest-powered handgun available in Australia – the Glock. New South Wales police are investigating whether murder-accused Sen Const Beau Lamarre was lawfully in possession of the police-issued handgun which they believe was used to kill two men.”
“We can’t allow this critical public safety review to happen behind closed doors and by another police force.”
“The review should be conducted by the Auditor-General for New South Wales, who reports directly to Parliament, not to a Minister and is an independent body.
“The report should be made public for such an important public safety matter.”
The Auditor General has experience reviewing firearms systems. In 2019, the NSW Auditor General conducted a comprehensive review of the NSW Firearms Registry, which administers the firearms licencing and registration scheme for existing licence holders.
