An officer involved in a nine-hour stand-off where police mocked then fatally shot a mentally ill man has admitted failures in the police response.
Sergeant Matthew Horsington described some police actions as "inappropriate and unprofessional" and agreed then-Senior Constable Glenn Larrain had failed to treat Todd McKenzie with dignity or respect.
Mr McKenzie, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia, was shot three times after a multi-hour siege on the NSW mid-north coast in 2019 when police were called to a Taree property over concerns for his welfare.
In bodycam footage previously shown to an inquest in Taree, Sen Const Larrain mocks and belittles Mr McKenzie.
He calls him a "drain on the country", challenges him to a fight, calls him a liar and says he is "just pulling stuff out of my arse to keep you talking".
"At the end of the day I'd much rather you come out here with your bloody knife ... I'm getting f***ing sick of this," Sen Const Larrain said in bodycam footage.
Sgt Horsington, who was supervising Sen Const Larrain during the siege, agreed the officer did not show respect to the 40-year-old man and his conduct was inappropriate and unprofessional.
He conceded the behaviour continued under his watch.
"At times, yes, we failed," he told the court on Wednesday.
Despite this, Sgt Horsington maintained that Sen Const Larrain had done a great job overall.
"Yes, some of the comments I thought were inappropriate," he said.
"Overall, Larrain had developed a good communication with him and was meeting a goal that I had."
Sgt Horsington said the senior constable had successfully maintained contact and communication with Mr McKenzie which kept him visible and ensured he was not at risk of harm.
However, when asked by the coroner's assisting counsel Jason Downing if any officers had suggested Mr McKenzie was at risk of harming himself, Sgt Horsington said he didn't remember any mention of harm.
The inquest was previously told by a negotiator Mr McKenzie posed no threat to himself or others.
Specialist officers spent nine hours negotiating with the 40-year-old before they forced open the door to try to subdue him with a Taser.
When this failed, they shot Mr McKenzie three times.
He died at Manning Base Hospital.
The inquest will continue on Thursday.
Lifeline 13 11 14
beyondblue 1300 22 4636
