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Neal Thompson’s Sisters Plan Legal Action Against Victoria Police Over Raid Tactics

The planned case centers on why specialist units were not used in the Porepunkah raid.

Overview

  • Lawyers for Dianne Thompson and Lois Kirk confirmed they will sue Victoria Police after the months-long hunt for gunman Dezi Freeman ended with his death in early April.
  • Their claim focuses on the decision not to deploy siege‑trained tactical officers for the August 2025 search at Freeman’s Porepunkah property where two officers were killed and a third was wounded.
  • The sisters also allege poor treatment by the force, saying they were told of Neal Thompson’s death by phone and felt sidelined at his funeral and later memorial events.
  • Victoria Police says it has engaged with the families, met the sisters after their December letter, and appointed homicide and local liaison officers to provide updates and support.
  • A coroner’s inquest is expected before any court action, and the sisters’ lawyers are also pursuing claims for civilians who say police stops and raids during the manhunt caused trauma.