Tasmania Police Commissioner Donna Adams believes a fatal shooting which claimed the life of a veteran constable could have been even more devastating without the response of specialist officers.
Commissioner Adams praised the Special Operations Group (SOG), which was bolstered to full-time capability in December 2023, for their response to the incident. The SOG had been stationed nearby during the incident.
“I fear this horrific event would have had even worse outcomes had our dedicated SOG officers not responded so quickly and professionally, with such bravery,” she said.
“The 20-member SOG is now primarily used for frontline assistance jobs, supporting uniformed staff with tasks such as family violence and breach of bail matters and assisting investigators with general searches and property entries.”
“This is a traumatic and tragic incident. It is an extremely difficult time for the officers involved, their families and Tasmania Police more broadly.”
A crime scene remains established at the North Motton property as investigations continue into what is the first fatal shooting of a Tasmania Police officer in more than 100 years.
Constable Keith Anthony Smith, 57, was killed on Monday while serving a court-ordered repossession warrant at a North Motton property near Ulverstone.
The Ulverstone-based officer, who had 25 years of service with Tasmania Police, was allegedly shot by a resident as he approached the home around 11am.
“Keith was a respected and committed officer and his loss will be deeply felt across our policing family and the wider community,” Commissioner Adams said earlier this week.
A second officer at the scene discharged their firearm towards the alleged offender, who then surrendered to police.
The 46-year-old North Motton man remains in the Launceston General Hospital under police guard after undergoing surgery for non-life-threatening injuries.
No charges have been laid at this time.
