Shooting under scrutiny

A GOLD Coast criminologist is questioning police who shot out car tyres as families shopped in dramatic scenes.

An off-duty officer called police to an Upper Coomera shopping centre where he believed he’d seen a stolen car just before 5pm on Tuesday. Police allege when they attempted to intercept the car, it was driven at them before ramming two cop cars. Officers then fired shots at the car’s tyres.

No one was injured but Bond University criminologist Terry Goldsworthy, an ex-detective, said: “Is use of lethal force to let tyres down reasonable use of that force? There has to be the threat of death or grievous bodily harm.

“When you are doing training, the rule is you don’t shoot at moving vehicles.

“It can ricochet, it won’t stop the vehicle and you might hit the driver and the vehicle becomes out of control.”

Asked about Mr Goldsworthy’s view, Queensland Assistant Commissioner on the Gold Coast Brian Codd said: “Terry is pretty close to the mark.”

Mr Codd said using a fire arm was justified only if officers feared for their lives or others and believed there was no other option to avoid being killed or suffering grievous bodily harm. Mr Codd said the shooting would face a “great range of scrutiny”.

“By the same token I wouldn’t want to be in the shoes of our officers who get faced with these dangerous situations and have to make split second decisions,” he said.

Mitchell Craig Kiehne, 22, has been charged with 14 offences and remanded in custody. A woman, 22, charged with unlawful use of a vehicle is due to face Southport Magistrates Court on March 26.