Queensland Police have admitted they failed to protect Gold Coast mum Kelly Wilkinson, who was set alight and killed by her husband, but they are refusing to reveal the outcome of internal reviews.
Brian Earl Johnston, 37, stabbed the 27-year-old multiple times in the neck and chest before setting her alight in the backyard of her Gold Coast home in April 2021.
The former US marine was jailed this week in the Brisbane Supreme Court for at least 20 years after previously pleading guilty to murdering the mother of three.
Prior to her death Wilkinson had told police several times she needed protection.
She had also taken out a domestic violence order against her estranged husband.
Danielle Carroll, Wilkinson’s sister, says she wants the internal police reviews to be made public and for officers to learn from mistakes so they can better protect women at risk.
“It’s about saying this is how we’ve dropped the ball and this is how we’re going to fix it,” Carroll said.
“Every time she went in there and said he’s breached [the DVO], it was not recognised, heard or validated.”
Two days after Wilkinson was murdered police admitted they had failed to protect her.
They promised an investigation and a review into what had happened.
“When people make mistakes in this line of work, it’s fatal,” Carroll said.
“The life sentence is definitely not fitting for what he’s done.”
In a statement to 9News the Queensland Police Service (QPS) said they conducted inquiries on behalf of the coroner in relation to Wilkinson’s murder.
”These inquiries included investigations undertaken by the Ethical Standards Command, which have since been finalised, resulting in disciplinary action taken against an officer relating to breaching QPS policy.
“The officer was ordered to undertake professional development as part of the discipline outcome.
“As a result of internal reviews into the matter, two new operational advisories were issued to all police in 2021 reminding them of their obligations relating to bail decisions for DFV offences, reporting requirements, body worn vision requirements and other matters relating to taking protective actions for DFV victims.
“There were also a number of policies and procedures reviewed and implemented relating to bail checks at police front counters and street checks.”
Police said they were implementing recommendations from the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce.
