15 November 2019
Win Walker
[FYI request #11361 email]
Our reference: IR-01-19- 27122
Dear Win Walker
I refer to your email request of 2 October 2019 which requested under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act) information around the number of incidents where criminals
pointed firearms at Police Officer. Specifically you requested:
“…recently police union representative Chris Cahill claimed that in the last 6
months there had been 173 incidents of criminals pointing firearms at police. This
figure appears to be exaggerated by what Mr Cahill defines as a firearm. I believe
his definition is not supported by the arms act distorting all truth about the
discussion. Please provide the make and model of each firearm used in every
police incident for the last 6 months to explore the credibility of Mr Cahill’s claim.”
I have considered your request and my response is as follows.
The figures I believe you may potentially be referring to are those highlighted in the media
on 30 September 2019 as,
“…179 incidents where criminals have pointed a gun at either
an officer or a member of the public”.
These figures were recorded by Police in the Gun Safe system nationwide between
1 March 2019 and 1 August 2019. However, as of 22 October 2019 the number of incidents
occurring where criminals have pointed a gun at either an officer or a member of the public
has been revised down to 178.
The data is frequently reviewed and every effort is made to correct any identified data-entry
errors or remove duplication, however inaccuracies may still exist.
Therefore, it is important to note that the interpretations and conclusions drawn in this
response are made on the balance of probability on information available at the time of
preparation. As such, these figures may not be consistent with previous or future reports.
Equally, the information contained herein is not evidence and is intended to provide a basis
for further investigation only.
“…Please provide the make and model of each firearm used in every police
incident for the last 6 months to explore the credibility of Mr Cahil ’s claim.”
At present, the Gun Safe database does not capture this information broken down in the
detail you require. The make and model are not fields we can extract and the data needed
to create this information is potentially recorded within free text or structured text fields, and
it cannot be readily retrieved. In order to create this information, we would need to manually
review each of the 178 incident reports and cross reference that data (if in fact, that data is
contained within the incident reports). It is of note, that for some incidents, there was
evidence that a firearm was involved, however the firearm is yet to be located.
We are, therefore refusing these particular parts of your request pursuant to section 18(f)
of the Official Information Act 1982, in that the information you are requested cannot be
made available without substantial collation or research. You do however, have the right to
seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision.
The Gun Safe database is relatively new and it will continue to evolve over time as
improvements are identified, we will endeavour to take into consideration the items you
have raised when developing it further in the future.
If you are not satisfied with my response to your request, you have a right under section
28(3) of the Official Information Act 1982 to ask the Office of the Ombudsman to seek an
investigation and review of my decision.
Yours sincerely
Superintendent Andrew Sissons
National Manager, Response and Operations
