'A shooting gallery': Police officer describes ambush of partner Brett Forte, threats made against her

A Queensland police officer has held back tears telling how she was sitting just centimetres away from colleague Brett Forte before they were showered in gunfire.

Speaking today at the coronial inquest into the shooting death of Senior Constable Forte, Senior Constable Catherine Nielsen described a "shooting gallery" as gunman Rick Maddison opened fire on their squad car in May 2017.

Senior Constable Nielsen claimed to have been threatened by superiors after she started asking questions about the circumstances that led to Senior Constable Forte's death – even revealing her gun was taken off her.

READ MORE: Brett Forte's killer had 'thousands of rounds' of ammunition

Recounting the moment Maddison opened fire on her and Senior Constable Forte's patrol car on a "steep and narrow" stretch of road in the Lockyer Valley, Senior Constable Nielsen said she "couldn't understand" what was going on.

"There was this automatic gunfire … it sounded like an air gun, but it was so rapid," she said.

"As soon as he has started to fire, Brett yelled out, 'he's out'.

"He got it into reverse, got his foot down, that act essentially saved my life.

"I got my gun out and started shooting through my windscreen.

"The car tipped onto Brett's side - the car was a mess - it was like something out of the streets of Beirut."

READ MORE: Inquest shown 'confronting' moments before Brett Forte's death

Senior Constable Nielsen said she started asking questions about the lead-up to that day, not wanting her colleague's death to be in vain.

In return, she claimed she was threatened with a complaint form, endured a toxic environment and even had her gun taken from her.

"I was s---canned in the office; I had people saying really mean things about me – I had done nothing wrong," Senior Constable Nielsen said.

The officer claimed she was repeatedly told by her senior officers they had no idea about reports of automatic gunfire in the lead-up to and at the exact location as the ambush, but later found out that was a lie.

The inquest continues.