Queensland Police would have consulted a counterterrorism unit before approaching a rural property where two officers were gunned down and killed, if NSW detectives had shared threatening emails, a coroner has heard. Brothers Nathaniel, 46, and Gareth Train, 47, opened fire on four junior police constables as they walked up the driveway of a remote property at Wieambilla, west of Brisbane, resulting in the deaths of Constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold. State Coroner Terry Ryan previously heard that NSW Police Detective Senior Constable Tim Montgomery contacted Chinchilla officers near Wieambilla for a missing persons “welfare check” on Nathaniel Train, but did not share the latest police reports, which contained threatening emails from Gareth Train.
Some of the reports not shared stated that Gareth had sent emails indicating that if officers showed up to his remote bush property, his brother would “greet them as they deserve”. Queensland Senior Constable Stephanie Abbott testified that had she seen these emails, she would not have instructed officers to attend the Wieambilla property. She mentioned that there were numerous other actions she would have taken, including getting intel, speaking to counterterrorism units, and consulting with other Train family members. The lack of communication between NSW and Queensland police regarding the threats posed by the Train brothers raised questions about the decision-making process that led to the tragic outcome on December 12, 2022.
The inquest proceedings at the Brisbane Coroners Court highlighted the importance of sharing critical information between police departments in order to prevent such tragic incidents from occurring. It was revealed that if Queensland Police had been made aware of the threatening emails sent by Gareth Train, they would have taken additional precautions, such as consulting with a counterterrorism unit, before approaching the rural property at Wieambilla. The failure to share these crucial details underscored the necessity of effective communication and coordination among law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of officers in high-risk situations.
The testimony provided by Senior Constable Stephanie Abbott shed light on the various actions that could have been taken to mitigate the risks associated with the encounter at the Wieambilla property. Her acknowledgment that there were “literally a million other things” she would have done differently if she had seen the threatening emails from Gareth Train highlighted the potential gaps in the decision-making process that led to the officers’ deaths. The focus on exploring alternative strategies, such as gathering intelligence, engaging with counterterrorism experts, and consulting with family members, underscored the need for a multidimensional approach to assessing and addressing potential threats.
The tragic ambush at Wieambilla served as a sobering reminder of the dangers faced by police officers in the line of duty and the importance of thorough risk assessment and information sharing in ensuring their safety. The failure to exchange critical details about the threatening emails sent by Gareth Train ultimately contributed to the outcome of the incident, prompting a reevaluation of communication protocols and decision-making processes within law enforcement agencies. The insights gained from the inquest proceedings highlighted the need for increased vigilance and coordination among police departments when dealing with potentially dangerous individuals, emphasizing the importance of proactive measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Overall, the testimony presented at the Brisbane Coroners Court underscored the complex nature of police operations and the critical role that effective communication plays in ensuring the safety and security of law enforcement personnel. The tragic deaths of Constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold served as a catalyst for a deeper examination of the circumstances leading up to the fatal ambush at Wieambilla, prompting a reevaluation of protocols and procedures within the Queensland Police Force. By learning from the mistakes and oversights that occurred in this case, law enforcement agencies can work towards implementing stronger safeguards and strategies to protect officers and prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
