[Greens-Media] Operation Retz report shows police internal investigations remain a sham

[Alison Orme]

Media Release - 7 June 2007

Operation Retz report shows police internal investigations remain a sham 

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon has called for an overhaul of police internal investigations in light of the Operation Retz report released late yesterday that shows a high level of incompetence by NSW Police Commissioner Ken Moroney in overseeing the internal investigation of former assistant commissioner Lola Scott and her subsequent sacking.

During the four years of Operation Retz Commissioner Ken Moroney held the position of Deputy Commissioner responsible for internal affairs. Lee Rhiannon has been pushing for over six months for the Retz report be released. 

"The NSW Ombudsman's report on Operation Retz shows internal police investigations still suffer from the same failings identified by Justice Wood in his 1997 Police Royal Commission reports," Ms Rhiannon said.

"The Assistant Ombudsman (Police) is critical of Commissioner Moroney's interference during the interviewing of Lola Scott. He also says the decision by Moroney to sack Scott, based on the evidence available from Operation Retz, was 'disproportionate'. 

"The Ombudsman comments on the inadequate resources provided to the Scott investigation and the unacceptable delays which resulted in stress for officers involved. He says this necessarily undermines confidence in the internal investigation system.

"Commissioner Moroney and the Minister for Police David Campbell need to revisit and reflect on the 1997 Wood Royal Commission report's findings on police internal investigations. 

"In 1997 Justice Wood highlighted long running concerns about the quality of police internal investigations and the failure to consider the broader implications of individual investigations for improving the management of NSW Police Force.

"One key lesson from the Wood Police Royal Commission and Operation Retz is that the NSW Police Force cannot be trusted to put their own house in order when it comes to improving standards and procedures for internal investigations.

"The Iemma government should provide the NSW Ombudsman with the support necessary to monitor whether the NSW Police Force takes the necessary steps to improve its internal investigations procedures in future. 

"The fight the Greens had in pushing the Iemma government to release these reports shows Justice Wood's observation in 1997 that there is 'an ingrained political concern to avoid embarrassment' is still a strong current in NSW politics," Ms Rhiannon said.

Contact: Lee Rhiannon 9230 3551, 0427 861 568.
The Deputy Ombudsman's report on Operation Retz and the Operation Retz report available from Lee Rhiannon's office on request.





Alison Orme
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Wed-Fri)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0432 332 104
Email alison.orme at parliament.nsw.gov.au 
Web www.leerhiannon.org.au