Operation Florida - Hansard Transcript Oct 2001

Full Day Hansard Transcript (Legislative Assembly, 16 October 2001, Corrected Copy)

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

Tuesday 16 October 2001
______

Mr Speaker (The Hon. John Henry Murray) took the chair at 2.15 p.m.

 

Ms BEAMER

 OPERATION FLORIDA

Ms BEAMER: My question without notice is to the Minister for Police. What is the Government's response to Operation Florida?

Mr WHELAN: In recent days the people of New South Wales have witnessed a watershed in policing. The Police Integrity Commission's Operation Florida hearings into corruption in the Manly, Davidson and northern beaches local area commands have seen sensational television images of police integrity tests beamed into living rooms every evening. Radio airwaves and newspapers have carried shocking revelations of police investigating criminal activity by their own colleagues. I share the disappointment of the thousands of honest New South Wales police who are committed to ethical policing. They have been let down by the deplorable acts of a few.

However, I am much heartened and encouraged by aspects of this inquiry. This is the Police Service successfully and fearlessly investigating corruption in its ranks—fearlessly investigating its own. This inquiry—the biggest into police corruption since the Wood royal commission—is a clear sign that the Police Service has changed. No longer can police assume that the cash in the sock drawer is not a sting. No longer can they assume that a colleague is not wired or will not report them for serious and criminal misconduct. No longer can they assume that their telephones, offices, cars and open spaces are not under surveillance.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! I place the honourable member for Davidson on three calls order.

Mr WHELAN: New South Wales police have, over three years, used their resources, improved systems, tougher powers and a deep commitment to ethical policing to mount a highly-sophisticated, covert operation codenamed Mascot.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Port Macquarie to order.

Mr WHELAN: This investigation was conducted by a revitalised and expanded special crime and internal affairs command, which replaced the ineffective office of professional responsibility. These PIC hearings can be traced back to 1996 when, as chairman of the crime commission management committee, I granted the commission a reference into organised crime, codenamed Gymea. That investigation revealed serious police misconduct that was referred to the Police Integrity Commission, which reported to Parliament in late 1998 under the reference Jade. As a result of that inquiry, New South Wales police received allegations in December 1998 of New South Wales police involvement with drug dealers. Commissioner Ryan immediately established his team of undercover police, who relentlessly began gathering evidence of corruption.

In February 1999 I formally granted the Crime Commission a new reference, Mascot, and that inquiry led to 25 arrests, including two police, and 62 charges laid for drug-related and other serious crimes. In June 2000 the heads of the Police Service, the Police Integrity Commission [PIC] and the Crime Commission began close co-operation on Mascot, upon which the current PIC Florida hearings are based. These hearings began on 8 October and are expected to run for some time.

Hundreds of serving and former police have already been scrutinised by this operation, and there are more to come. Corrupt police, past or present, should not make the mistake of thinking that they can tough it out this time. This is not an inquiry of limited duration like the Wood royal commission. This will continue for as long as it takes. There are no time limits. Corrupt police should take heed: There is nowhere to hide. Break the law and your own colleagues will investigate you. Clearly, the commissioner and his officers acted decisively. Had those involved not kept their silence they would never have fully exposed this web of corruption.

I can confirm that this investigation also triggered two other recent PIC hearings: Operation Pelican into the Oxford Tavern murders, and Operation Jetz into the police promotions system. Intelligence gathered during Mascot was forwarded to the National Crime Authority regarding a major drug importation and distribution network. The Australian Federal Police have also made a number of arrests relating to an ecstasy supply ring, based on intelligence also gathered from Mascot. Those who believe that Operation Mascot should have been shut down earlier would have us return to the dark old days. A limited investigation with a limited outcome! It takes great patience and courage to determine the level and extent of corruption within the Police Service. This investigation simply could not have happened in the past. It would have been compromised by a network of corrupt police, as so many other well-meaning inquiries were.

Operation Mascot's success relied on ethical policing, determination, communication and a disciplined command structure—the hallmarks of ongoing reform. Anti-corruption efforts and reform will not stop because a few are not prepared to embrace change or are not up to the challenge. If they work against us we will meet them head on. I am determined, along with the thousands of policemen and women under the command of Commissioner Ryan, to rid the Police Service of as many crooked police as we can find. As Commissioner Ryan has already warned corrupt police: We are coming to get you.