A tragic case of domestic violence has come to light, highlighting critical failures by the Queensland Police Service (QPS) that could have potentially saved a life.
A preventable tragedy?
The inquest into the murder of Kelly Wilkinson, a 27-year-old woman, has revealed two crucial moments where police intervention could have made a difference. But here's where it gets controversial: were these missed opportunities due to systemic issues or individual errors?
On April 20, 2021, Kelly Wilkinson was burned to death by her estranged husband, Brian Earl Johnston. However, eight days prior, Johnston had been granted bail on a rape charge, a decision that now seems like a fatal mistake.
DI Paul Fletcher, now leading the Gold Coast vulnerable persons group, described this as a "missed opportunity." But it wasn't the only one.
The 'cracks' in the system
When Wilkinson reported alleged breaches of her domestic violence protection order on April 11, 2021, to two different police stations, the response was inadequate. Constable Diana Sovacki, who took the report at Southport station, noted that Wilkinson "appeared to be cop shopping" - a term used when someone seeks out multiple police officers to get the outcome they desire.
Sovacki's entry in the police log, however, was incorrect. She recorded the report as a "street check," even though it was taken at the station. This error had significant consequences, as Fletcher explained: "Domestic violence matters are not supposed to be recorded as street checks because they fall through the cracks in the police system."
Fletcher further clarified that the specialist domestic violence unit's daily checks on relevant reports would not pick up on street checks. "Street checks can get lost in the system, giving us a fragmented view of what's happening to those individuals," he said.
Seeking help, but falling through the cracks
Wilkinson's case is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by victims of domestic violence. She repeatedly sought help, not just from the police but also from the Domestic Violence Prevention Centre (DVPC). She had been assessed as high risk, with her file flagged accordingly.
Yet, a referral to the Southport domestic violence liaison officer was never opened, and Wilkinson never had the opportunity to develop a safety plan with a specialist officer.
Fletcher attributed this to a "considerable turnaround time" due to a lack of police resources. He explained that the demand for police services was high, and there was a backlog of cases, making it difficult to see everyone in a timely manner.
A lack of specialized training?
Teresa Springer, then a constable with the Gold Coast vulnerable persons unit, assessed Wilkinson's case. She admitted to not having received formal training in assessing domestic violence risk. Instead, she relied on on-the-job training, with another officer explaining the role to her.
Springer's email response to the DVPC, advising Wilkinson to lodge a complaint if she was unhappy with the police outcome, has been criticized as condescending. However, Springer clarified that she was merely informing Wilkinson of her rights.
The inquest's focus and limitations
The deputy state coroner, Stephanie Gallagher, will hear the final witness today before closing submissions by lawyers on Thursday. The inquest's scope is limited to whether the QPS response to Wilkinson's complaints was in line with policies at the time and whether any changes have been made to address shortcomings in domestic violence responses.
Interestingly, the inquest is not considering whether the police response was appropriate, the reasons behind Johnston's actions, or whether any officer's actions could have prevented Wilkinson's death. These are questions that remain unanswered, leaving room for speculation and debate.
The broader implications
While these issues are not specifically listed for the inquest, under the Coroners Act, Gallagher may comment or make recommendations about anything connected to Wilkinson's death that relates to public health, safety, or justice administration. This could include ways to prevent similar deaths in the future.
The court has acknowledged that the issues were drawn up "very narrowly" due to the pending criminal trial of Johnston for rape.
The inquest continues, leaving us with many questions and a sense of what could have been done differently.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of effective responses to domestic violence and the need for continuous improvement in police training and procedures.
What are your thoughts on this tragic case? Do you think the police response was adequate, or are there systemic issues that need addressing? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments below.
