A MOTHER whose teenage daughter died after a cross-border police pursuit in 2011 still thinks about her every single day.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Kyralee Clark, 17, was killed when Nilsson Keith Smyth took police on a chase at speeds of up to 180km/h and crashed.
She died instantly in the December 4 rollover at Bandiana, and Smyth was given a nine-year jail term.
Her mother, Jodie Brunton, said the family was still devastated by her death.
Speaking out as Victorian officers raised concerns about the state’s no-pursuit policy – which came into force last July – Ms Brunton said it was a complex issue.
“She’s always on my mind,” she said of the daughter she described as friendly, funny and caring.
“I think about her every single day.
“I’ve been depressed a hell of a lot more.
“I feel like I’m different, her brother and sister are different.”
Ms Brunton said she felt numb when told about her daughter’s death.
“It was just indescribable,” she recalled.
The Police Association has provided feedback to Victoria Police about its pursuit policy, which essentially bans chases.
More than 93 per cent of the 3000 officers surveyed late last year don’t support it and want it changed.
North East officers have told The Border Mail the policy gives criminals a free ticket to flee, knowing they won’t be pursued.
Ms Brunton said her daughter would probably still be alive if the pursuits hadn’t occurred, but said the blame lay with Smyth.
If it wasn’t for him the chase would not have started, she said.
“He was a dangerous driver in the first place,” she said.
“That’s why he attracted the police attention.
“It’s up to the driver, they’re the ones who need to think about what they’re doing. They’re responsible for the lives of other people in the cars.”
Officers say the policy has done little to curb dangerous driving and association secretary Ron Iddles said there was no “silver bullet”.
“It needs to be simplified so that members have clear direction,” he said.
“There needs to be more direction for the member who is actually pursuing.”
A police spokeswoman said the policy was under review.
“Road Policing Command is currently reviewing the pursuit policy to ensure it meets community expectations and the expectations of our officers,” she said.
“The results of the survey will form a large and important part of the review.
“The review will ultimately determine if any changes to the policy need to be made and a preliminary report is expected in the coming weeks.”