Coroner's Finding: WILSON Christopher Stuart

Contributing factors

• failure of police to prioritise the initial shooting incident on 25 February 2004
• failure to identify the shooter from computer searches and intelligence available on the night
• failure to act promptly on informant information that perpetrator possessed a revolver
• delay of three weeks in allocating the Dreelan complaint for investigation
• inadequate supervision of investigating detective during extended workers compensation leave
• failure to record complaint in crime management journal
• miscommunication between CIB and uniformed officers regarding investigative responsibility
• resource shortages and understaffing in tactical unit
• failure to exercise available powers under Firearms Act
• inadequate record-keeping practices

Coroner's recommendations

1. Review the Police (Complaints and Disciplinary Proceedings) Act 1985 in light of reforms adopted in other Australian States and overseas jurisdictions
2. Amend section 48 of the Police Complaints Act to remove secrecy barrier to full disclosure of relevant evidence to Coroner's Court
3. Amend section 63C of the Young Offenders Act 1993 and section 59A of the Children's Protection Act 1993 to permit Coroner's Court to allow publication of material identifying youths in public interest
4. Ensure human source information regarding firearm possession receives priority investigation regardless of resource constraints
5. Ensure all firearms incidents are reported to Firearms Branch in accordance with General Orders
6. Implement procedures ensuring all PIRs are recorded in Crime Management Journal when appropriate
7. Ensure adequate supervision of detectives with clear delineation of responsibility and regular monitoring of investigations
8. Establish protocols ensuring proper allocation of investigations to designated officers using disposition sheets
9. Ensure interim arrangements during staff absence to prevent investigations languishing without progress
10. Implement procedures for immediate response to firearms incidents involving weapon-specific protocols
11. Require CIB to explicitly assume or decline investigative responsibility rather than provide ambiguous 'advice'
12. Ensure all witnesses provide statements when presenting at police stations
13. Preserve and maintain electronic records and TCG minutes in accordance with State Records Act