On the 19 June 2004 Constable Davis, 27, was the observer in a police vehicle when it was involved in a motor vehicle accident on the Sydney Road, just north of Goulburn. As a result of the accident the constable sustained fatal injuries.
The constable was born in 1977 and was sworn in as a probationary constable on the 30 August 2002. At the time of her death she was stationed at Goulburn.
-----
Police death referred to DPP by coroner:
The death of a police officer in a patrol car crash has been referred to the chief NSW prosecutor after charges against the driver were bungled and dropped.
Constable Shelley Davis, 27, was a passenger in the police car when it crashed into a tree moments after overtaking another patrol car in Goulburn, in the NSW southern tablelands, in June 2004.
The driver, Senior Constable Paul Sharman, was charged with negligent driving occasioning death following an internal police investigation, Glebe Coroner's Court was told on Thursday.
However, the charges were dropped after police bungled the paperwork in April 2006.
NSW Deputy State Coroner Dorelle Pinch found Snr Const Sharman was likely driving between 20 and 30 kilometres over the speed limit at the time of the crash, and was unnecessarily speeding given the two cars were not engaged in urgent duty.
Ms Pinch said it was likely Snr Const Sharman and the driver of the other police car, Constable Damien Ottley, had been racing one another.
"Constable Ottley likes to drive at speed," Ms Pinch told the court.
"I also note that Constable Ottley was an admirer of Senior Constable Sharman's driving skills.
"Was he trying to impress Senior Constable Sharman with his driving ability or was there some competition between the two?
"The fact that Constable Ottley lied at the crash scene about witnessing the crash indicates to me that he did not wish to draw attention to his own actions, he knew they were as reckless and as irresponsible as they were indefensible."
Ms Pinch referred the matter to the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions to consider whether criminal charges should be laid against "a known person".
She also recommended that police interviews undertaken for the purposes of internal investigations not be included in a coronial brief of evidence without the consent of the officer in question.
Snr Const Sharman was ordered to make the statement and it was handed to the inquest before being retracted at the request of his lawyer.
Snr Const Sharman did not provide evidence to the inquest.
Outside court, Const Davis' family said Snr Const Sharman had never apologised to them for the fatal accident.
Const Davis' partner, Tina McPherson, said the finding, while welcome, didn't provide closure.
"It's nothing," Ms McPherson told reporters.
"We live with this everyday. It doesn't bring Shelley back, our loss can never be quantified."
A spokeswoman for the DPP said she could not comment until the brief had been received.
Const Davis, 27, was posthumously awarded the NSW Police Medal. She had been in the force only two years.
- Sydney Morning Herald, July 5, 2007
-----
Ministerial Statement
Mr JOHN WATKINS (Ryde—Minister for Police) [2.17 p.m.]: I know that all honourable members will join me in offering heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of a promising young police officer, Constable Shelley Davis. Constable Davis died in car accident on the outskirts of Goulburn while on duty last Saturday morning. The death of any police officer in the line of duty is tragic, but that is particularly so when an officer is young and shows as much potential as Constable Davis. Like many of our police officers, she came to policing in her mid-twenties rather than straight from high school. She brought with her the valuable life experience and skills that working in other fields and travelling can bring, including two years as a counsellor at summer camps in the United States of America.
When Constable Davis began her Diploma of Policing Practice at the New South Wales Police College at Goulburn in August 2001 she did not know that the Southern Highlands would become her home in the longer term. She was stationed at Goulburn police station in August 2002 and settled at nearby Hill Top. Constable Davis made clear her motivation for joining NSW Police in a story published in the Goulburn Post last month to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the Police College. She said:
It may sound a little clichéd, but I wanted a job where I could make a difference, that was not boring and where I could challenge my boundaries.
I am sure that all honourable members will agree that she chose the right profession. She told colleagues that she enjoyed high-visibility policing and, to that end, she was training to be part of the local bicycle squad. I place on the record of the New South Wales Parliament my thanks to Constable Davis for her service to the people of New South Wales. The force is better for having had her service. I know that her police colleagues across New South Wales, especially those in Goulburn, will feel her loss deeply. Constable Davis will be laid to rest with full police honours at Tahmoor Catholic Church at 1.30 p.m. tomorrow. On behalf of all honourable members I extend deepest sympathy to Constable Davis's parents, brother, partner, friends and colleagues.
Ms PETA SEATON (Southern Highlands) [2.23 p.m.]: The Coalition, particularly the honourable member for Burrinjuck, join the Government in conveying deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Shelley Davis following her tragic death in a motor vehicle accident near Goulburn. Every day police officers go to work they risk their lives in the line of duty. Shelley Davis made the ultimate sacrifice in the course of the job that she loved. Shelley lived in Hill Top with her partner in life. She moved there so that she could continue to work in and be in commuting distance of her beloved Goulburn. Speaking today to some of her colleagues in Goulburn I was struck by the depth of their affection and respect for her. They described her as a bubbly, outgoing, lovely girl who loved to do everything, including horse riding and running, and she never had bad word to say about anyone.
I was told by Inspector Jackson, who passed on to me the sorts of things her colleagues would like us to hear about her today, that she was a competent and very good police officer who loved her job and especially her work in Goulburn. Shelley lit up everyone's day. That is a rare achievement which explains in some way the level of trauma and loss that her colleagues are feeling. That loss is also felt in neighbouring police stations, including Bowral, where I know everyone had the highest opinion of her. That loss is also felt in Picton, where I understand her cousin is also a police officer. Inspector Jackson told me that she was much loved by everyone. In extending condolences to Shelley's family and partner I hope that they take comfort in the support that is being extended to them by so many of her colleagues in the police force.
We honour her too-short life and her great service to our community. I ask the Minister to consider the concerns that I have heard from a number of officers. While highway patrol cars are routinely fitted with side-door airbags I understand that the model of car used by general duties officers does not routinely have that feature. The impact suffered in this sort of tragic accident may have been mitigated if the car had had a side-door airbag. I ask the Minister to take on board that concern and report back to Parliament on what plans he has to make any safety changes as a result of this tragedy.
The constable was born in 1977 and was sworn in as a probationary constable on the 30 August 2002. At the time of her death she was stationed at Goulburn.
-----
Police death referred to DPP by coroner:
The death of a police officer in a patrol car crash has been referred to the chief NSW prosecutor after charges against the driver were bungled and dropped.
Constable Shelley Davis, 27, was a passenger in the police car when it crashed into a tree moments after overtaking another patrol car in Goulburn, in the NSW southern tablelands, in June 2004.
The driver, Senior Constable Paul Sharman, was charged with negligent driving occasioning death following an internal police investigation, Glebe Coroner's Court was told on Thursday.
However, the charges were dropped after police bungled the paperwork in April 2006.
NSW Deputy State Coroner Dorelle Pinch found Snr Const Sharman was likely driving between 20 and 30 kilometres over the speed limit at the time of the crash, and was unnecessarily speeding given the two cars were not engaged in urgent duty.
Ms Pinch said it was likely Snr Const Sharman and the driver of the other police car, Constable Damien Ottley, had been racing one another.
"Constable Ottley likes to drive at speed," Ms Pinch told the court.
"I also note that Constable Ottley was an admirer of Senior Constable Sharman's driving skills.
"Was he trying to impress Senior Constable Sharman with his driving ability or was there some competition between the two?
"The fact that Constable Ottley lied at the crash scene about witnessing the crash indicates to me that he did not wish to draw attention to his own actions, he knew they were as reckless and as irresponsible as they were indefensible."
Ms Pinch referred the matter to the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions to consider whether criminal charges should be laid against "a known person".
She also recommended that police interviews undertaken for the purposes of internal investigations not be included in a coronial brief of evidence without the consent of the officer in question.
Snr Const Sharman was ordered to make the statement and it was handed to the inquest before being retracted at the request of his lawyer.
Snr Const Sharman did not provide evidence to the inquest.
Outside court, Const Davis' family said Snr Const Sharman had never apologised to them for the fatal accident.
Const Davis' partner, Tina McPherson, said the finding, while welcome, didn't provide closure.
"It's nothing," Ms McPherson told reporters.
"We live with this everyday. It doesn't bring Shelley back, our loss can never be quantified."
A spokeswoman for the DPP said she could not comment until the brief had been received.
Const Davis, 27, was posthumously awarded the NSW Police Medal. She had been in the force only two years.
- Sydney Morning Herald, July 5, 2007
-----
Ministerial Statement
Mr JOHN WATKINS (Ryde—Minister for Police) [2.17 p.m.]: I know that all honourable members will join me in offering heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of a promising young police officer, Constable Shelley Davis. Constable Davis died in car accident on the outskirts of Goulburn while on duty last Saturday morning. The death of any police officer in the line of duty is tragic, but that is particularly so when an officer is young and shows as much potential as Constable Davis. Like many of our police officers, she came to policing in her mid-twenties rather than straight from high school. She brought with her the valuable life experience and skills that working in other fields and travelling can bring, including two years as a counsellor at summer camps in the United States of America.
When Constable Davis began her Diploma of Policing Practice at the New South Wales Police College at Goulburn in August 2001 she did not know that the Southern Highlands would become her home in the longer term. She was stationed at Goulburn police station in August 2002 and settled at nearby Hill Top. Constable Davis made clear her motivation for joining NSW Police in a story published in the Goulburn Post last month to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the Police College. She said:
It may sound a little clichéd, but I wanted a job where I could make a difference, that was not boring and where I could challenge my boundaries.
I am sure that all honourable members will agree that she chose the right profession. She told colleagues that she enjoyed high-visibility policing and, to that end, she was training to be part of the local bicycle squad. I place on the record of the New South Wales Parliament my thanks to Constable Davis for her service to the people of New South Wales. The force is better for having had her service. I know that her police colleagues across New South Wales, especially those in Goulburn, will feel her loss deeply. Constable Davis will be laid to rest with full police honours at Tahmoor Catholic Church at 1.30 p.m. tomorrow. On behalf of all honourable members I extend deepest sympathy to Constable Davis's parents, brother, partner, friends and colleagues.
Ms PETA SEATON (Southern Highlands) [2.23 p.m.]: The Coalition, particularly the honourable member for Burrinjuck, join the Government in conveying deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Shelley Davis following her tragic death in a motor vehicle accident near Goulburn. Every day police officers go to work they risk their lives in the line of duty. Shelley Davis made the ultimate sacrifice in the course of the job that she loved. Shelley lived in Hill Top with her partner in life. She moved there so that she could continue to work in and be in commuting distance of her beloved Goulburn. Speaking today to some of her colleagues in Goulburn I was struck by the depth of their affection and respect for her. They described her as a bubbly, outgoing, lovely girl who loved to do everything, including horse riding and running, and she never had bad word to say about anyone.
I was told by Inspector Jackson, who passed on to me the sorts of things her colleagues would like us to hear about her today, that she was a competent and very good police officer who loved her job and especially her work in Goulburn. Shelley lit up everyone's day. That is a rare achievement which explains in some way the level of trauma and loss that her colleagues are feeling. That loss is also felt in neighbouring police stations, including Bowral, where I know everyone had the highest opinion of her. That loss is also felt in Picton, where I understand her cousin is also a police officer. Inspector Jackson told me that she was much loved by everyone. In extending condolences to Shelley's family and partner I hope that they take comfort in the support that is being extended to them by so many of her colleagues in the police force.
We honour her too-short life and her great service to our community. I ask the Minister to consider the concerns that I have heard from a number of officers. While highway patrol cars are routinely fitted with side-door airbags I understand that the model of car used by general duties officers does not routinely have that feature. The impact suffered in this sort of tragic accident may have been mitigated if the car had had a side-door airbag. I ask the Minister to take on board that concern and report back to Parliament on what plans he has to make any safety changes as a result of this tragedy.
On the 19 June 2004 Constable Davis, 27, was the observer in a police vehicle when it was involved in a motor vehicle accident on the Sydney Road, just north of Goulburn. As a result of the accident the constable sustained fatal injuries.
The constable was born in 1977 and was sworn in as a probationary constable on the 30 August 2002. At the time of her death she was stationed at Goulburn.
-----
Police death referred to DPP by coroner:
The death of a police officer in a patrol car crash has been referred to the chief NSW prosecutor after charges against the driver were bungled and dropped.
Constable Shelley Davis, 27, was a passenger in the police car when it crashed into a tree moments after overtaking another patrol car in Goulburn, in the NSW southern tablelands, in June 2004.
The driver, Senior Constable Paul Sharman, was charged with negligent driving occasioning death following an internal police investigation, Glebe Coroner's Court was told on Thursday.
However, the charges were dropped after police bungled the paperwork in April 2006.
NSW Deputy State Coroner Dorelle Pinch found Snr Const Sharman was likely driving between 20 and 30 kilometres over the speed limit at the time of the crash, and was unnecessarily speeding given the two cars were not engaged in urgent duty.
Ms Pinch said it was likely Snr Const Sharman and the driver of the other police car, Constable Damien Ottley, had been racing one another.
"Constable Ottley likes to drive at speed," Ms Pinch told the court.
"I also note that Constable Ottley was an admirer of Senior Constable Sharman's driving skills.
"Was he trying to impress Senior Constable Sharman with his driving ability or was there some competition between the two?
"The fact that Constable Ottley lied at the crash scene about witnessing the crash indicates to me that he did not wish to draw attention to his own actions, he knew they were as reckless and as irresponsible as they were indefensible."
Ms Pinch referred the matter to the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions to consider whether criminal charges should be laid against "a known person".
She also recommended that police interviews undertaken for the purposes of internal investigations not be included in a coronial brief of evidence without the consent of the officer in question.
Snr Const Sharman was ordered to make the statement and it was handed to the inquest before being retracted at the request of his lawyer.
Snr Const Sharman did not provide evidence to the inquest.
Outside court, Const Davis' family said Snr Const Sharman had never apologised to them for the fatal accident.
Const Davis' partner, Tina McPherson, said the finding, while welcome, didn't provide closure.
"It's nothing," Ms McPherson told reporters.
"We live with this everyday. It doesn't bring Shelley back, our loss can never be quantified."
A spokeswoman for the DPP said she could not comment until the brief had been received.
Const Davis, 27, was posthumously awarded the NSW Police Medal. She had been in the force only two years.
- Sydney Morning Herald, July 5, 2007
-----
Ministerial Statement
Mr JOHN WATKINS (Ryde—Minister for Police) [2.17 p.m.]: I know that all honourable members will join me in offering heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of a promising young police officer, Constable Shelley Davis. Constable Davis died in car accident on the outskirts of Goulburn while on duty last Saturday morning. The death of any police officer in the line of duty is tragic, but that is particularly so when an officer is young and shows as much potential as Constable Davis. Like many of our police officers, she came to policing in her mid-twenties rather than straight from high school. She brought with her the valuable life experience and skills that working in other fields and travelling can bring, including two years as a counsellor at summer camps in the United States of America.
When Constable Davis began her Diploma of Policing Practice at the New South Wales Police College at Goulburn in August 2001 she did not know that the Southern Highlands would become her home in the longer term. She was stationed at Goulburn police station in August 2002 and settled at nearby Hill Top. Constable Davis made clear her motivation for joining NSW Police in a story published in the Goulburn Post last month to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the Police College. She said:
It may sound a little clichéd, but I wanted a job where I could make a difference, that was not boring and where I could challenge my boundaries.
I am sure that all honourable members will agree that she chose the right profession. She told colleagues that she enjoyed high-visibility policing and, to that end, she was training to be part of the local bicycle squad. I place on the record of the New South Wales Parliament my thanks to Constable Davis for her service to the people of New South Wales. The force is better for having had her service. I know that her police colleagues across New South Wales, especially those in Goulburn, will feel her loss deeply. Constable Davis will be laid to rest with full police honours at Tahmoor Catholic Church at 1.30 p.m. tomorrow. On behalf of all honourable members I extend deepest sympathy to Constable Davis's parents, brother, partner, friends and colleagues.
Ms PETA SEATON (Southern Highlands) [2.23 p.m.]: The Coalition, particularly the honourable member for Burrinjuck, join the Government in conveying deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Shelley Davis following her tragic death in a motor vehicle accident near Goulburn. Every day police officers go to work they risk their lives in the line of duty. Shelley Davis made the ultimate sacrifice in the course of the job that she loved. Shelley lived in Hill Top with her partner in life. She moved there so that she could continue to work in and be in commuting distance of her beloved Goulburn. Speaking today to some of her colleagues in Goulburn I was struck by the depth of their affection and respect for her. They described her as a bubbly, outgoing, lovely girl who loved to do everything, including horse riding and running, and she never had bad word to say about anyone.
I was told by Inspector Jackson, who passed on to me the sorts of things her colleagues would like us to hear about her today, that she was a competent and very good police officer who loved her job and especially her work in Goulburn. Shelley lit up everyone's day. That is a rare achievement which explains in some way the level of trauma and loss that her colleagues are feeling. That loss is also felt in neighbouring police stations, including Bowral, where I know everyone had the highest opinion of her. That loss is also felt in Picton, where I understand her cousin is also a police officer. Inspector Jackson told me that she was much loved by everyone. In extending condolences to Shelley's family and partner I hope that they take comfort in the support that is being extended to them by so many of her colleagues in the police force.
We honour her too-short life and her great service to our community. I ask the Minister to consider the concerns that I have heard from a number of officers. While highway patrol cars are routinely fitted with side-door airbags I understand that the model of car used by general duties officers does not routinely have that feature. The impact suffered in this sort of tragic accident may have been mitigated if the car had had a side-door airbag. I ask the Minister to take on board that concern and report back to Parliament on what plans he has to make any safety changes as a result of this tragedy.
The constable was born in 1977 and was sworn in as a probationary constable on the 30 August 2002. At the time of her death she was stationed at Goulburn.
-----
Police death referred to DPP by coroner:
The death of a police officer in a patrol car crash has been referred to the chief NSW prosecutor after charges against the driver were bungled and dropped.
Constable Shelley Davis, 27, was a passenger in the police car when it crashed into a tree moments after overtaking another patrol car in Goulburn, in the NSW southern tablelands, in June 2004.
The driver, Senior Constable Paul Sharman, was charged with negligent driving occasioning death following an internal police investigation, Glebe Coroner's Court was told on Thursday.
However, the charges were dropped after police bungled the paperwork in April 2006.
NSW Deputy State Coroner Dorelle Pinch found Snr Const Sharman was likely driving between 20 and 30 kilometres over the speed limit at the time of the crash, and was unnecessarily speeding given the two cars were not engaged in urgent duty.
Ms Pinch said it was likely Snr Const Sharman and the driver of the other police car, Constable Damien Ottley, had been racing one another.
"Constable Ottley likes to drive at speed," Ms Pinch told the court.
"I also note that Constable Ottley was an admirer of Senior Constable Sharman's driving skills.
"Was he trying to impress Senior Constable Sharman with his driving ability or was there some competition between the two?
"The fact that Constable Ottley lied at the crash scene about witnessing the crash indicates to me that he did not wish to draw attention to his own actions, he knew they were as reckless and as irresponsible as they were indefensible."
Ms Pinch referred the matter to the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions to consider whether criminal charges should be laid against "a known person".
She also recommended that police interviews undertaken for the purposes of internal investigations not be included in a coronial brief of evidence without the consent of the officer in question.
Snr Const Sharman was ordered to make the statement and it was handed to the inquest before being retracted at the request of his lawyer.
Snr Const Sharman did not provide evidence to the inquest.
Outside court, Const Davis' family said Snr Const Sharman had never apologised to them for the fatal accident.
Const Davis' partner, Tina McPherson, said the finding, while welcome, didn't provide closure.
"It's nothing," Ms McPherson told reporters.
"We live with this everyday. It doesn't bring Shelley back, our loss can never be quantified."
A spokeswoman for the DPP said she could not comment until the brief had been received.
Const Davis, 27, was posthumously awarded the NSW Police Medal. She had been in the force only two years.
- Sydney Morning Herald, July 5, 2007
-----
Ministerial Statement
Mr JOHN WATKINS (Ryde—Minister for Police) [2.17 p.m.]: I know that all honourable members will join me in offering heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of a promising young police officer, Constable Shelley Davis. Constable Davis died in car accident on the outskirts of Goulburn while on duty last Saturday morning. The death of any police officer in the line of duty is tragic, but that is particularly so when an officer is young and shows as much potential as Constable Davis. Like many of our police officers, she came to policing in her mid-twenties rather than straight from high school. She brought with her the valuable life experience and skills that working in other fields and travelling can bring, including two years as a counsellor at summer camps in the United States of America.
When Constable Davis began her Diploma of Policing Practice at the New South Wales Police College at Goulburn in August 2001 she did not know that the Southern Highlands would become her home in the longer term. She was stationed at Goulburn police station in August 2002 and settled at nearby Hill Top. Constable Davis made clear her motivation for joining NSW Police in a story published in the Goulburn Post last month to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the Police College. She said:
It may sound a little clichéd, but I wanted a job where I could make a difference, that was not boring and where I could challenge my boundaries.
I am sure that all honourable members will agree that she chose the right profession. She told colleagues that she enjoyed high-visibility policing and, to that end, she was training to be part of the local bicycle squad. I place on the record of the New South Wales Parliament my thanks to Constable Davis for her service to the people of New South Wales. The force is better for having had her service. I know that her police colleagues across New South Wales, especially those in Goulburn, will feel her loss deeply. Constable Davis will be laid to rest with full police honours at Tahmoor Catholic Church at 1.30 p.m. tomorrow. On behalf of all honourable members I extend deepest sympathy to Constable Davis's parents, brother, partner, friends and colleagues.
Ms PETA SEATON (Southern Highlands) [2.23 p.m.]: The Coalition, particularly the honourable member for Burrinjuck, join the Government in conveying deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Shelley Davis following her tragic death in a motor vehicle accident near Goulburn. Every day police officers go to work they risk their lives in the line of duty. Shelley Davis made the ultimate sacrifice in the course of the job that she loved. Shelley lived in Hill Top with her partner in life. She moved there so that she could continue to work in and be in commuting distance of her beloved Goulburn. Speaking today to some of her colleagues in Goulburn I was struck by the depth of their affection and respect for her. They described her as a bubbly, outgoing, lovely girl who loved to do everything, including horse riding and running, and she never had bad word to say about anyone.
I was told by Inspector Jackson, who passed on to me the sorts of things her colleagues would like us to hear about her today, that she was a competent and very good police officer who loved her job and especially her work in Goulburn. Shelley lit up everyone's day. That is a rare achievement which explains in some way the level of trauma and loss that her colleagues are feeling. That loss is also felt in neighbouring police stations, including Bowral, where I know everyone had the highest opinion of her. That loss is also felt in Picton, where I understand her cousin is also a police officer. Inspector Jackson told me that she was much loved by everyone. In extending condolences to Shelley's family and partner I hope that they take comfort in the support that is being extended to them by so many of her colleagues in the police force.
We honour her too-short life and her great service to our community. I ask the Minister to consider the concerns that I have heard from a number of officers. While highway patrol cars are routinely fitted with side-door airbags I understand that the model of car used by general duties officers does not routinely have that feature. The impact suffered in this sort of tragic accident may have been mitigated if the car had had a side-door airbag. I ask the Minister to take on board that concern and report back to Parliament on what plans he has to make any safety changes as a result of this tragedy.
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
