Nat Barr has questioned the NSW Police Minister on why it took officers an hour to respond to a Triple Zero call in which a woman was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend.
Police found mother-of-three Sarah Miles unconscious with head injuries before she died at her Johnston Street home in Casino, northern New South Wales, at 2.30am on Saturday.
Her partner, Dwayne John Creighton, 31, has been arrested and charged with her murder.
A neighbour called police at around 1.30am after hearing screams, but officers did not acknowledge the call until an hour later.
The call was also categorized as priority three, meaning officers did not respond immediately and an investigation was launched to determine why it took so long for police to arrive.
NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley appeared on Sunrise on Monday morning and said she wanted to make sure people had the confidence to know that when they called the police, they would come.
—Yes, but they don’t —Barr replied.
Sarah Miles was found with serious head injuries before she died at her home on Johnston Street in Casino at 2.30am on Saturday.
Nat Barr questioned the NSW Police Minister on why it took so long for officers to arrive.
“This was recorded as priority three instead of priority one. How can that be possible when we know that a woman dies at least once a week?”
Ms Catley admitted that “something had gone wrong” and that the investigation would be scrutinised.
“If there is a failure in the system, we will fix it,” he said.
Barr responded: “Yes, it was a mistake, of course. That’s an understatement.”
“When police arrived, this woman was unconscious but still breathing. It appears they could have saved her if they had arrived in time.”
The police minister said officers immediately performed CPR on Ms Miles when they arrived.
But Barr said it was “a full hour” before they reached the house “where a woman’s life was lost.”
“We hope the investigation will provide us with information so that this doesn’t happen again,” Catley said.
Barr added: “Everyone in New South Wales is demanding that this be the case.”
Creighton appeared at Lismore Bail Court on Sunday, where he did not apply for bail and was formally refused bail. His case will be heard again on Monday.
Ms Miles’ family thanked first responders and the public for their messages of support.
Her partner, Dwayne John Creighton, was arrested and charged with murder.
“This is a tragic and incredible loss for his children and family, whom he loved deeply,” they said in a statement.
“Sarah will be missed by many people and we ask that you give the family some privacy at this tragic time.”
NSW Police have launched a critical incident investigation into the handling of the case, and the NSW Coroner will also investigate.
The investigation will be overseen by the independent Police Conduct Commission.
