Manly detective admits to bribery racket 2001

PM Archive - Friday, 19 October , 2001 Reporter: Peter Lloyd MARK COLVIN MARK COLVIN: In the New South Wales police dictionary, it appears 'giggle' is a collective noun meaning, 'A circle of corrupt officers engaged in bribery, stealing and other forms of corrupt activity'. The veil of secrecy surrounding the giggle based at Manly Police Station was lifted a little further today when one of its members gave evidence before the Police Integrity Commission. Uniformed Sergeant David Hill admitted his part in the now widely exposed racket whereby Detectives were taking bribes in exchange for green-lighting drug dealers and break-ins. By the time the Commission wrapped up this afternoon it was all over for Sergeant Hill, who announced his immediate resignation from the Police Service. Peter Lloyd's report contains language which may offend. PETER LLOYD: Even before he entered the witness box, Sergeant David Hill was in big trouble. Last week the Commission was played a recording of the Sergeant accepting a share in thousands of dollars stolen from a drug dealer by fellow corrupt officer, Detective Dave Patterson. During a search 'Pato', as he's known, was caught by a surveillance camera stuffing cash into his pocket. The next day Sergeant Hill accepted $300. It was how business was done at the Manly giggle. SERGEANT DAVID HILL: Well, that's the rules are. They always do the same. It's always been equal parts. PETER LLOYD: During cross-examination today Sergeant Hill told the Commission that throughout his career he had known of other corrupt officers. To his surprise Council for the Commission, Peter Hastings QC, asked him to write their names down on a piece of paper. He complied, and the document was tendered as a confidential exhibit. Immediately after that the Commission was played a surveillance tape in which Sergeant Hill could be heard declaring, 'I don't care what they've got on me - I could never admit anything'. He told the Commission that he didn't really mean that statement, it was just bravado. During another recording, Sergeant Hill can be heard discussing the mistreatment of suspects at Manly Police Station. The following disturbing exchange is a recreation based on an official transcript: UNIDENTIFIED:It doesn't happen here. UNIDENTIFIED: At Manly, what happens? UNIDENTIFIED: We just don't do it in front of the videos? UNIDENTIFIED: Hey? UNIDENTIFIED: We just don't do it in front of the videos. UNIDENTIFIED: Oh, so it's still happening? UNIDENTIFIED: Yeah, it does. We just flog the snot out of them and when they complain we just go - nup, it never happened. We had one bloke here, he got flogged down the road and got flogged big time outside the Stein by the boss. UNIDENTIFIED: By who? UNIDENTIFIED: By the boss. UNIDENTIFIED: The boss here? UNIDENTIFIED: You should see the size of him - he's a fat prick. He just fell on top of ya. PETER LLOYD: Under cross-examination, Hill denied the beating of suspects was commonplace at Manly. So why, asked Peter Hastings QC, did he say it? DAVID HILL: Bravado again. I was just running off at the mouth. In the old days you were part of it or played the part or you weren't accepted. PETER LLOYD: Sergeant Hill told the Commission that he'd been involved in another giggle of corrupt officers 10 years' ago when he was based at the major crime squad North at Chatswood. He said officers there split cash stolen from offenders. Their names were written down and handed up as well. It's understood the Inquiry will shift focus from Manly to Chatswood when it resumes at a date to be fixed. MARK COLVIN: Peter Lloyd.