NSW Police Consider Equipping Guns and Radios with GPS Trackers After Alleged Murder by Officer

Officers in New South Wales (NSW) are urging senior ranks and the Police Association of NSW to authorize the use of GPS tracking for officers following the alleged murder of a young couple by a serving officer.

Jesse Baird, a television presenter, and his flight-attendant boyfriend Luke Davies were reportedly murdered by NSW police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon. The bodies were discovered in surfboard bags at a rural property in Bungonia, near Goulburn, around 200 kilometers southwest of Sydney, on Feb. 27.

Lamarre-Condon is currently in custody, facing charges for the murder of the couple at Baird’s home in Paddington on Feb. 19.

The radios carried by NSW officers already have GPS trackers installed, but they are inactive due to objections from the union.

However, senior officers are advocating for the installation of similar trackers in guns to monitor officers’ locations when armed. They believe this could have been helpful in tracking the movements of the police-issued glock pistol allegedly used in the crime.

Lamarre-Condon reportedly checked out the weapon from the Miranda police station a week before the alleged incident to work at an event.

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Activating the trackers would enhance safety, according to the officer.

“Presently, when police respond to a call, there is an estimated response time. However, if you are managing the situation at the station, you have no knowledge of the whereabouts of your colleagues nor their safety unless you request a welfare check through the radio.

“If they do not respond to the welfare check, another unit needs to be dispatched to ensure the officers’ well-being. It is a lengthy, cumbersome process that could be streamlined with the push of a button.”

A NSW Police spokesperson declined to address inquiries regarding GPS capabilities in equipment, while the Police Association of NSW refused to comment, citing the sensitive nature of the subject.