The grieving families of fallen police officers Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold are taking legal measures against the police departments of New South Wales and Queensland. They assert that failures in duty and negligence contributed to the tragic deaths of the officers.

Constables McCrow, aged 29, and Arnold, aged 26, were brutally ambushed and killed in Wieambilla in 2022 by a group of individuals driven by dangerous conspiracy theories.

A recent inquest shed light on the mindset of the attackers, Gareth, Nathaniel, and Stacey Train. The findings described them as suffering from a “shared delusional disorder,” classifying them as “psychotically unwell” rather than labeling them as terrorists.

Following the inquest, 10 recommendations were put forward to improve police operations. These suggestions included a thorough review of the State Intelligence Group, enhancements to the Queensland Police Service’s drone capabilities in remote areas, and improvements in the way information is shared between different law enforcement agencies.

The families of the officers argue that both the NSW Police Force and the Queensland Police Service failed in their duties, ultimately placing the constables in an untenable situation where survival was impossible.

“They believe that pertinent evidence was overlooked and not fully considered,” a statement from the families’ lawyer reads.

“Our clients are confident that, but for the alleged negligence of the New South Wales Police Force and the Queensland Police Service, Constable Rachel McCrow and Constable Matthew Arnold would still be alive.”

They also want to ensure that the families of other police officers “never have to suffer the kind of pain and loss that they now endure”.

Both families have lodged separate claims in the Supreme Court in Brisbane.