The RLC also called for the findings to be publicised
An independent body should review the NSW Police's procedures for handling service firearms, said the Redfern Legal Centre.
The organisation also called for the findings of such a review to be publicised. The appeal follows an announcement by NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb that Victoria Police had been tasked with reviewing the NSW Police's firearm handling procedures.
At present, NSW police are determining whether Sen Const Beau Lamarre, accused of murdering two men, was legally allowed to own the police-issued handgun that is believed to be the murder weapon.
“We need to move away from police reviewing police and police procedures. We can't allow this critical public safety review to happen behind closed doors and by another police force”, said Samantha Lee, senior solicitor in the police accountability practice at Redfern Legal Centre, in a media release.
She proposed that the review should be spearheaded by the NSW auditor-general, an independent body that reports directly to Parliament, and not to a minister.
The auditor-general's office has previously audited firearm systems, examining the NSW Firearms Registry in 2019.
