‘Inadequate’: NSW police criticised for not getting out of cars after triple zero call reported woman being bashed

New South Wales police officers' response to a triple zero call on January 3, 2023, has been deemed inadequate by an independent watchdog, despite clearing them of serious misconduct. The call reported a woman was "being bashed" behind the Salvation Army building in Ballina. The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) found that the officers, who arrived at the scene in their vehicle, "did not meet minimum standards" by failing to exit their car to investigate the reported assault. Lindy Lucena was fatally bashed on the night of the call. The LECC's report, released this week, highlighted that the officers' actions were insufficient given the information provided by the caller, which indicated an ongoing violent incident. The commission recommended that the NSW Police Force review its operational procedures and training concerning responses to emergency calls involving potential assaults. The LECC's investigation focused on the actions of the two officers who responded to the triple zero call and their subsequent report of the incident. The report also noted the caller's explicit request not to be identified, which the officers respected. However, the critical finding revolves around the officers' failure to disembark from their vehicle to conduct a physical check of the area, a standard procedure in such circumstances.