<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/victoria" rel="" target="_blank" title="Victoria "><span>Victoria</span></a><span> Police has issued a lengthy statement in response to allegations made by the sisters of a senior constable who was killed by Dezi Freeman.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Dianne Thompson and Lois Kirk claim they were told via phone call, rather than in person, that their brother Neal Thompson had been killed, they told </span><em><span>The Herald Sun.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He and nine others in the sexual offences and child investigation team tried to serve Freeman an arrest warrant in </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/porepunkah-shooting" rel="" target="_blank" title="Porepunkah on August 26"><span>Porepunkah on August 26</span></a><span>.</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/dezi-freeman-shooting-arrests/8a79e264-7c08-4d25-a41a-26bab8418568" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Man and woman arrested over Dezi Freeman probe</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The 59-year-old was one of two officers killed when Freeman opened fire and then escaped into bushland, where he evaded capture for seven months.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The sisters also alleged they were not invited to Thompson's memorial services and were not told that </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/dezi-freeman-shot-reports-emerge-fugitive-killed-by-armed-police/77941806-6f56-4584-a39f-f5c57263a337" rel="" target="_blank" title="Freeman had been fatally shot by police on Monday"><span>Freeman had been fatally shot by police on Monday</span></a><span> during a stand-off at his hiding place in Thologolong, over two hours away from Porepunkah and near the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/new-south-wales" rel="" target="_blank" title="NSW "><span>NSW</span></a><span> border.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They have previously communicated their grievances in a letter to Police Commissioner Mike Bush and now plan to sue Victoria </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/police" rel="" target="_blank" title="Police"><span>Police</span></a><span>. </span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/dezi-freeman-victoria-police-respond-sisters-of-neal-thompson-plan-to-sue/dacd655c-c884-42af-8b3c-8c607ef7d1f8" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Victoria Police acknowledged issues were raised by the pair and said they responded once Bush received the letter.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We have been in contact with the families since the incident occurred and have taken every step to ensure they are kept up to date and that support services are in place for them," Victoria Police said in a statement.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The Chief Commissioner has spoken directly a number of times to Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson's partner, the parents of Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart, and the officer seriously injured during the incident on 26 August, 2025.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"However, we also acknowledge some issues raised by the sisters of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and police have met with them directly as a result of a letter they sent to the Chief Commissioner."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Victoria Police have appointed the sisters their own police liaison officers from the homicide squad and the local area to update them on the investigation.</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/world/us-israel-iran-war-update-clock-ticks-on-trumps-48hour-deadline-as-us-and-iran-race-to-find-missing-pilot/b2a59e43-5e1f-46e5-a7cc-d4ddba00f8da" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Clock ticks on Trump's 48-hour deadline as US and Iran race to find missing pilot</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The force is in discussions with the pair about any ongoing concerns, but refused to provide further details.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Victoria Police acknowledges that the past seven months have been an incredibly difficult time following in the incident in Porepunkah, particularly the families of the two police officers killed," Victoria Police said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"While every effort is made to provide timely updates to all families involved, we are always conscious of the need to manage ongoing investigations." </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>9news.com.au has contacted the sisters' lawyer for comment.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span></span><em><strong><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></strong></em><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><em><strong><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Apple</span></strong></em></a><span> </span><em><strong><span>and</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Google Play</span></strong></em></a></li><li><em><strong><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google 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