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Police across Australia may experience vicarious post-traumatic stress disorder following the shooting deaths of two young officers in rural Queensland, a criminal psychologist says.
Constables Matthew Arnold, 26, and Rachel McCrow were gunned down at a remote property 300km west of Brisbane on Monday night.
Another innocent bystander, neighbour Alan Dare, was also killed.
Their three alleged killers were later shot dead following a long siege at the Darling Downs property.
Officers who directly knew the two constables would rightly be offered counselling and support following the traumatic incident, criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro told AAP.
But police working across the country should also monitor for symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
"They may have had close calls in the past," Mr Watson-Munro said. "They may become hyper vigilant. They may worry about what's going on.
"So although they're not directly exposed to that crime, it serves as a trigger."
Those living in the Darling Downs region may also be traumatised, leading to increased anxiety and second-guessing of people around them, Mr Watson-Munro said.
More psychological support should be provided to those in the community, not only now but in the months ahead.
"The importance of follow up treatment can't be overstated," Mr Watson-Munro said. "The media circus might move on but these people are still left with what's occurred and their symptoms.
"It may also take a while for some people to have symptoms. It's not as though it occurs immediately in some individuals.
"People need to be alive to that and to have the appropriate facilities and services available to them."
