Families of two Queensland police officers killed in a 2022 rural ambush have renewed calls for the swift release of coronial findings, saying delays put other officers at risk and urging immediate changes to communications, training and equipment.
Relatives of Constables Matthew Arnold, 26, and Rachel McCrow, 29, said in a joint statement that almost three years after the December 12, 2022, killings the missing inquest recommendations remain a priority and that "a police officer could be shot tomorrow" if identified operational failings are not addressed. The families repeated pleas for small aerial drones to be made available to officers and for urgent fixes to radio and information‑sharing systems.
The families’ statement cited testimony from last year’s coronial inquiry that revealed communication black spots in regional areas and problems with interstate information sharing. The inquest, presided over by State Coroner Terry Ryan, also examined whether mental health funding, officer training and access to aerial technology could have reduced risk to officers during welfare checks and other frontline duties.
Police records and witness testimony showed that on December 12, 2022, conspiracy theorist Gareth Train, his wife Stacey and his brother Nathaniel ambushed officers who had attended the rural Wieambilla property in the Western Downs, west of Brisbane, to conduct a welfare check. Constables Arnold and McCrow were shot at close range shortly after arriving. Colleagues Constables Keely Brough and Randall Kirk escaped the initial attack. A nearby neighbour, Alan Dare, who approached after seeing smoke, was also killed. The three members of the Train family were later shot dead in an exchange with police the same night.
Family members told The Courier-Mail they remain frustrated that the coroner’s recommendations have not yet been made public, saying delays prolong the risk to serving officers. "What will it take for the Queensland Government, QPS and police union to actually do something about this disturbing situation?" the families asked in their statement. They urged that any recommendations be implemented "over and beyond" the coroner’s findings and applied across jurisdictions.
The coronial court confirmed to the media that findings are being prepared and will be released publicly soon. Queensland Police Service (QPS) said it had introduced improvements to infrastructure, communications and operational technologies since the incident.
During last year’s inquest, investigators heard evidence about dead zones affecting radio reception, forcing some officers to rely on personal mobile phones in critical situations. Counsel and witnesses also raised concerns about gaps in interstate information sharing that may have left officers unaware of potential risks when attending welfare checks. The families and some expert witnesses called for broader risk mitigation measures, including expanded training, enhanced mental health support for officers, and greater use of aerial drones to scope potentially dangerous properties before officers approach.
Family representatives described the inquest’s testimony as exposing the "evil acts" that killed Rachel and Matt and highlighting what they called "serious operational failings that could have prevented this tragedy." They said systematic changes were needed "right across the nation" to reduce the likelihood of similar incidents.
Queensland police and state officials have previously said they were reviewing communications infrastructure and operational procedures following the shootings. In public statements since the inquest, the QPS has noted investments in technology and upgrades intended to reduce black spots and improve officer safety in regional areas, while saying some reforms require cooperation with telecommunications providers and other jurisdictions.
Legal developments connected to the case have continued to surface. Media reports said a US man, Donald Day Jr, has been charged in connection with matters related to the Wieambilla case and is awaiting trial on separate allegations over online posts that referenced the Train family. Court processes for any such charges remain under way.
The Wieambilla deaths provoked broad scrutiny of rural policing practices in Australia, prompting inquiries and political debate over the resourcing of regional police, the sharing of intelligence across state lines, and the use of new technologies to protect frontline staff. Advocates for the slain officers’ families say the coroner’s forthcoming recommendations could form the basis for systemic reforms, but they stress that delays in publication and implementation continue to leave serving officers exposed.
Coroners’ findings can take months to finalise as they review evidence, legal submissions and make formal recommendations. State officials said they recognised the urgency of the families’ concerns and reiterated that coronial recommendations would be given priority and followed by a public release. The timing of that publication has not been announced.
Police unions and some serving officers have previously urged swift action on communications and equipment after the inquest hearings. The families said they want more than words: they called for concrete changes and for authorities to ensure recommendations are enacted beyond Queensland, to prevent similar tragedies elsewhere in Australia.
As the coroner prepares the formal report, the families said they would continue to press for immediate operational changes to reduce risk, including mandatory drone deployment for specific high‑risk checks, improved radio coverage, and strengthened interstate information channels. They said those changes could prevent future loss of life while systems of review and reform proceed through official channels.