Shocking double murder charge against police officer prompts overhaul of firearms policy as NSW Police announce new rules

Lamarre-Condon has been charged with two counts of domestic violence-related murder in connection with the deaths of Sydney couple Jesse Baird, a 26-year-old former host of Network Ten’s Studio 10 morning show, and Luke Davies, a 29-year-old Qantas executive. flight attendant.

A former police officer allegedly shot and killed a couple with his NSW Police-issued service weapon.

Commissioner Karen Webb has ordered an immediate review of the issuance, storage and movement of general purpose firearms following this case.

The review identified several areas that need to be improved to prevent future tragedies, particularly technological advances in monitoring and tracking the movement of firearms.

Commissioner Webb said work continues to implement the recommendations.

“I would like to thank everyone involved in the review for their commitment to ensuring better oversight of police weapons and appointments,” Commissioner Webb said.

“It was particularly important to gain the knowledge and experience of Victoria Police and other external partners to ensure that best practice is implemented in the future.

“While the work is not yet complete, I am confident that the review and its recommendations provide a clear path to improvement in this area.”

The report’s key recommendations include the creation of a Weapons and Assignment Manual, a document that dictates the process and procedure for approving and removing firearms from normal command.

Additionally, to streamline processes, NSW Police will now be digitizing firearms movement applications, as well as digitizing the firearms movement register.

“The digitization of the registry will provide NSW Police with the ability to better track and report the location of firearms in real time, monitor storage approvals and monitor compliance with checks,” NSW Police said in a statement.

It is alleged that the former police officer shot the couple with his police pistol at Mr Baird’s Paddington home on February 19.

Lamarr-Condon then allegedly hid both men’s bodies under a large tarp in the backyard of a city center home overnight before returning the next morning to transport them to Bungonia, about 180 kilometers southwest of Sydney.

Police allege the 29-year-old merely pre-planned the murder of Mr Baird, his former partner, and that Mr Davies was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The bodies of Mr Baird and Mr Davies were found in surfboard bags on February 27 at a farm in rural Bungonia after an extensive police search.