<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The families of the two police officers who were fatally shot in </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/wieambilla" rel="" target="_blank" title="Wieambilla"><span>Wieambilla</span></a><span> in 2022 have described the "excruciating" 12-month wait for inquest recommendations.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Queensland Police constables Rachel McCrow, 29, and Matthew Arnold, 26, were shot dead alongside neighbour Alan Dare on December 12, 2022, while attending a remote bush property around 300km west of Brisbane.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The three were gunned down by conspiracy theorists Gareth and Stacey Train and Gareth's brother Nathanial.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/porepunkah-shooting-updates-dezi-freeman-remains-at-large-after-huge-police-operation/12ba3086-f7a5-44d5-b54d-6a2881e113ab" target="_blank" title="Search for Freeman continues as police lift Porepunkah travel warning"><strong><span>Search for Freeman continues as police lift Porepunkah travel warning</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The trio were later killed by officers following an hour-long siege.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/wieambilla-police-shooting-inquest-snooping-fears-kept-operator-from-shooting-details/064ac36b-9441-40e9-b85c-2e6ef3b37292" rel="" target="_blank" title="An inquest had its final public hearing on August 29 last year"><span>An inquest had its final public hearing on August 29 last year</span></a><span> and McCrow and Arnold's grieving families say the deadly circumstances which led to their murder could "still occur today".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"What will it take for the Queensland Government, QPS and Police Union to actually do something about this disturbing situation?" Rachel's mother, Judy McCrow, and Matthew's parents, Sue and Terry Arnold, said in a joint statement.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/wieambilla-police-officer-shooting-victim-families-fear-nothing-has-changes/ad7759e3-99b1-46db-a3c4-8fb1f2639c6f" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We are being told that police officers are still being forced to use their personal mobile phones because of poor reception on their radios."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The families said it has been an "excruciating" year-long wait for recommendations from the inquest to be delivered.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Judy, Sue and Terry said they have been saddened by the similarities after two police </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/dezi-freeman-what-we-know-about-accused-porepunkah-shooter-explained/b8281690-63fd-4ee9-92f0-48fa3826a634" rel="" target="_blank" title="officers were allegedly shot dead by Dezi Freeman"><span>officers were allegedly shot dead by Dezi Freeman</span></a><span> in Porepunkah, north-east Victoria, last month.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/police-investigate-brawling-nrl-fans-at-shark-park/e5a9498a-1e00-4b62-88d5-28f7e170d909" target="_blank" title="Police investigate brawling NRL fans at finals match"><strong><span>Police investigate brawling NRL fans at finals match</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They have pleaded with the government to release the findings to help keep the police force safe.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Although we never want this to happen again, sadly a police officer could be shot tomorrow because the communications or computer program does not work effectively, or information has not been passed on effectively," the statement added.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Last year's inquest examined key issues such as a lack of effective communication in regional issues and concerns around how interstate information is shared between police.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The families have also called for aerial drones to be used so officers can scope out the dangers of a property before attending.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/missing-hiker-cameron-little-nsw-snowy-mountains/215a6313-2b17-4613-b254-739a94fd2be8" rel="" target="_blank" title="Grave fears for missing hiker, 57, who failed to return from nine-day trek"><strong><span>Grave fears for missing hiker, 57, who failed to return from nine-day trek</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A drone strategy is in place within Queensland Police, however is limited to specialist teams.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"How many other employers would accept that the lives of their staff are at risk without legislatively having to show effective risk reduction strategies?" the joint statement continued.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Last year's inquest exposed the evil acts which brutally ended Rachel and Matt's hopes and ambitions and highlighted what we believe are serious operational failings that could have prevented this tragedy."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The families of the slain officers want the coroner to recommend "fundamental interventions" to close the gaps identified during the inquest.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The inquest only reminded us of the graphic and unimaginable nature of Rachel and Matt's deaths and the systemic failings that allowed this tragedy to happen," the statement ended.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Please do everything you can to reduce risks to other families' loved ones.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Police officers are human beings who are trained to do their job however, they should also have risks reduced as much as possible."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><strong><span>Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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