Inquest into the death of Brett Walker
Deceased
Brett Andrew Walker
Demographics
37y, male
Date of death
2022-07-09
Finding date
2024-08-13
Cause of death
multiple gunshot wounds
AI-generated summary
Brett Walker, 37, was shot by police on 9 July 2022 after a domestic violence incident 23 days post-release from prison. He had long-standing drug addiction and mental health issues including paranoid ideation, particularly during crystal methamphetamine use. Community Corrections did not meet pre-release service standards, including failure to conduct required four-weekly contact with Walker before release, no supervising officer allocation at release, and inadequate housing arrangements leading to homelessness. Walker presented to community services in a visibly paranoid and disorganized state. He disclosed recent ice use to Community Corrections but no drug testing was conducted. After stabbing his partner and another person, police attended; Walker refused to comply with commands, ignored taser deployment, and ran at an officer with a knife, resulting in the officer firing seven rounds. The coroner found police actions lawful and appropriate. Key preventability factors relate to Community Corrections' systemic failures in release preparation and ongoing supervision of a high-risk offender with serious mental health and substance use issues.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Error types
Contributing factors
- inadequate pre-release preparation by Community Corrections
- failure to meet pre-release service standards (no four-weekly contact)
- no supervising officer allocated at time of release
- inadequate housing arrangements leading to homelessness
- crystal methamphetamine use (ice) in days preceding incident
- untreated or inadequately managed mental health condition (paranoia, possible psychosis)
- rapid entry into new domestic relationship without adequate safeguarding
- lack of engagement with mental health and drug and alcohol services
- disorganization and difficulty with community reintegration
- previous history of violence and non-compliance with police
Coroner's recommendations
- Provide Court findings to CSNSW Quality Assurance Directorate for consideration in holistic review of offenders in custody and community
- CSNSW to examine preparation of offenders for release and management of offenders with short or backdated sentences
- CSNSW to advise Court of outcome of Quality Assurance Directorate review and any changes to procedures or policies
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