The complete transcript of this hearing is available here
David asked questions about:
• The number of currently serving police officers with criminal convictions
• Complaints regarding the NSW Police Force
• The treatment of former police officers with psychological injuries, including serious allegations of covert surveillance by MetLife
• The bail law reforms
• 10/50 vegetation clearing regulations
Questions were asked of NSW Police Commissione Andrew Scipione about the number of currently serving police officers with criminal records, including just how many are currently suspended from duty due to criminal convictions. Police Commissioner Scipione was also asked about the number of officers convicted specifically for PCA offences. David clarified that the moral culpability is more severe for high-range PCA offences. That 79 per cent of drink-driving offences were mid or high range. David proceeded to challenge the validity of the Commissioners statement “the majority of cases… officers will have been convicted of a low range PCA or similar offence”.
The Commissioner acknowledged that there were officers with pre-employment convictions that carried penalties of imprisonment. The figures of officers suspended as a result of criminal charges were taken on notice.
David raised with the Minister for Police the repeated concerns of former police with psychological injuries who have subject to covert surveillance operations from Metlife. Despite the Minister stating that no-one has ever raised concerns about covert surveillance with him, Deputy Police Commissioner Hudson acknowledged that not only was he aware of these cases but that covert surveillance is common practice by insurance companies.
It was acknowledged by Deputy Police Commissioner Hudson that the NSW Police will not seek to recover partial and permanent disability payments from injured police officers if there has been an out-of-court settlement. A commitment was also put forward to review officers that had lost their life due to psychological injuries attained during duty to be incorporated onto the Honour Roll.
In response to concerns that NSW Police have been deliberately granting bail in an attempt to make the bail law reforms look significantly more lenient than they are, Police Commissioner Scipione denied all allegations but agreed to take on notice statistics on police bail from January this year to date.
The Minister refused to discuss the reinstatement of SES whistleblower, and former Deputy Commissioner, Tara McCarthy and instead stated that reinstatement is a matter for the NSW Public Service Commissioner in conjunction with the Secretary to the Department of Justice.
David raised with the NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons and the Minister serious concerns about the misuse of 10/50 regulations, specifically in critically endangered areas. Minister Ayres agreed to take on notice and investigate any misuse of the regulation, as well as to personally observe the clear-felled rainforest site at Fingal Head. Commissioner Fitzimmons was also questioned about the availability of mapping that shows the overall extent of the 10/50 entitlement are and agreed to make this information publicly available.
After the hearing a number of supplementary questions on notice were also submitted, which can be viewed here.
Answers to supplementary questions, and questions taken on notice during the hearing, will be available 21 days from the hearing date.