• 6 months ago
NSW police deputy commissioner Peter Thurtell speaks about the deaths of a father and son in East Lismore.
Transcript
00:00 Reporter - Commissioner, just on specifics, last night police attended a house in Lismore where a 38 year old man and a 2 year old boy were found dead. Can you confirm the police are looking at that as a domestic violence issue?
00:15 Yes, I can confirm that. That was a father and son and a more tragic event you wouldn't come across.
00:24 So that's very sad and that's a matter now that's being investigated and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
00:31 Reporter - Do you know if the man was known to police?
00:33 Yes, he was known to police for previous DV matters but not significant issues.
00:40 Reporter - Do you know where the mother might have been in this situation?
00:44 Obviously I won't give any information about the mother but I am aware that the mother lived in the community.
00:50 Reporter - Are you aware if he had custody of that child?
00:53 My understanding is that the male had an access visit on the day.
01:01 Reporter - Do you know who raised the alarm or who had concerns about welfare with the neighbour?
01:09 My understanding is that the mother raised concerns with the fact that they were due to hand over the child at 4.30 and by 5.30 she had contacted the police and we went round to the residence and made the discovery.
01:23 Reporter - How difficult has it been for officers as well responding to a crime like this?
01:29 Any of these issues are difficult for the police but they are well trained. Our welfare systems in place look after our officers. Our focus really should be on the poor mother who has lost a child.
01:44 Reporter - Is it possible to check if there are any other children involved in this family?
01:48 My understanding is that there is only the one child.
01:51 Reporter - So that's an alleged murder and suicide?
01:53 Yes.
01:54 Reporter - Where had the man been moved from to that unit?
02:03 Where had he resided prior to there? I don't know. Sorry.
02:07 Reporter - Given that there was a history of DV and you just mentioned more than 100,000 calls last year alone, what is the police force doing to try and prevent this? Clearly it's quite a systemic problem.
02:24 Operations like Amarok that we've just been discussing are just one tool that the NSW Police has for addressing domestic violence. We do target individuals as well for compliance with their ADVOs. Plus the courts impose strict conditions. If we can get them in jail, we will get them in jail.
02:43 Reporter - Any indication of how the father and son in this one may have died?
02:55 Yes, I know how they both passed away. I'm not so sure that I am prepared to talk about that at the moment.
03:14 There was no weapon involved as far as I'm aware. But it was no doubt that the father has created a system where both he and the child have passed away as a result of the system he set up. That's basically all I'm prepared to say.
03:34 Reporter - How long does the man suffer to an ADVO?
03:37 I don't know. I'll have to get back to you on that one.
03:40 I'll have to get back to you on that one.