Police Association Welcomes IPCA report on Waitara shotting

Police Association President Greg O’Connor today welcomed the release of the Independent Police Conduct Authority’s report on its investigation into the April 2000 shooting of Steven Wallace in Waitara.

“This is the final chapter in an incredibly and unnecessarily long series of investigations into the shooting of Steven Wallace by an officer acting in self-defence,” Mr O’Connor said.

“The report vindicates the actions taken by all the officers who responded to the incident. While some things could, with the benefit of hindsight, have been done better, the IPCA investigation clearly shows the decisions taken were good decisions, given the circumstances as the officers perceived them at the time,” Mr O’Connor said.

“Most importantly, the IPCA finds conclusively that Constable A was justified in shooting Steven Wallace in self-defence. Mr Wallace, who was rapidly advancing with a weapon raised, and verbally threatening the officer, had ignored all appeals to stop and simply left the officer with no choice. This has been the finding of every investigation over the last nine years, including a trial before a jury.

“The report also addresses head-on the untrue rumours and misguided criticisms levelled over the years and refutes each of them in turn, including some of the unwarranted criticisms made by the Coroner in his 2007 report into the incident.

“It has taken nine years – which is nine years too long – but the IPCA’s report should finally close the book on this incident and allow all those involved to move on,” Mr O’Connor said.