Fatal shooter's 'venom' towards Qld police

Senior Constable Brett Forte, 42, was killed when Ricky Maddison opened fire with an automatic weapon on a police vehicle in the Lockyer Valley, west of Brisbane in 2017.

Maddison, 40, was shot dead the following day by police after being asked to surrender more than 80 times during a 20-hour siege.

Lawyers for several police officers asked State Coroner Terry Ryan on Tuesday to compel Sen Const Forte's wife Susan Forte to provide more information to the court.

Mrs Forte is also a police officer, who provided support to Maddison's former partner when she accused him of domestic violence offences.

Mr Ryan said the lawyers had argued there may be "further evidence" that hadn't already been made available to the Coroners Court.

"It would be helpful for an additional statement to be provided by Ms Forte in relation to any matters of evidence she wishes to put before me in this inquest," he added.

The legal application came after the inquest was told Maddison talked about a police husband-and-wife team he was "particularly upset about".

He also "expressed a lot of venom towards the police after being charged with domestic violence-related offences that were later discontinued, his friend of 15 years, convicted drug trafficker Adam Byatt told the court in Toowoomba earlier on Tuesday.

Mr Byatt said Maddison would often talk about his problems with police, especially after having a few drinks.

"He did have some pretty bitter views towards the police," Mr Byatt added.

Maddison didn't speak about plans or intentions to confront the couple, but "in drunken conversations, would say things like, 'Wait, they follow me, maybe I should follow them'," Mr Byatt said.

The inquest is expected to look into communication between police officers before the fatal shootings, with the court being told about text messages between Sen Const Forte and his wife.

When she asked how the search for Maddison was going, he replied: "Who knows. I'm in the B team, we get told zip."

Asked about different groups in the tactical crime squad, Senior Constable Andre Thaler denied there was a "secret squad", telling the inquest there was no A and B team but "people working in different roles".

Police had issued an alert to be on the lookout for Maddison in March 2017 after he reportedly brandished a firearm at his ex-partner's property.

But attempts to track him down were unsuccessful because Maddison went "off the grid" for months before the siege, the inquest has heard.

Maddison phoned police at 1.16pm on May 29, first speaking to Sen Const Forte before asking for a senior officer.

During a conversation lasting more than 30 minutes with tactical crime squad team leader Sergeant Peter Jenkins, an agitated Maddison described himself as a "broken man" who had lost everything, the court heard earlier.

Shortly after Maddison abruptly ended the call, police spotted his utility in Toowoomba and began an authorised pursuit.

While numerous vehicles from neighbouring police stations were involved, officers were warned to be careful during any "take-down" because Maddison had been involved in firearm offences.

Officers followed Maddison for at least 20 minutes, continuing when he veered off the main road and onto Wallers Road, which was accessible only to four-wheel drives.

Sen Const Forte and Senior Constable Catherine Nielsen were in a vehicle just behind Maddison when he pulled over next to a shut gate, got out of his ute and opened fire on the officers with an automatic weapon.

The police vehicle was peppered with 27 bullets as it reversed up an embankment before rolling, trapping the officers inside.

The two officers were helped from the rolled vehicle before their colleagues realised Sen Const Forte had been shot.

The inquest, set down for two weeks, will continue on Thursday to give Mrs Forte time to prepare a statement.

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Australian Associated Press