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Buck stops with the deputy chief
By Cynthia Banham and Joseph Kerr
June 16, 2005
Dave Madden.
Photo: Dallas Kilponen
The Deputy Commissioner, Dave Madden, will not become the state's next top cop following the Police Integrity Commission's finding he made "significant errors of judgement" in connection with the Bulldogs rape inquiry.
The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions will consider charging Mr Madden with a criminal offence, but the commission's finding of poor decision-making is more significant because it is unequivocal.
Senior officers last night privately conceded Mr Madden was out of the race to replace Ken Moroney when the commissioner goes next year. The chances of his fellow deputy, Andrew Scipione, have improved.
Colleagues believe Mr Madden should have seen the consequences of his decision to discuss during a meeting with the Bulldogs' boss, Malcolm Noad, information from phone taps used in the Bulldogs inquiry.
But they are seething that the reputations of Mr Madden and four other senior officers have been damaged in a public relations exercise with Mr Noad.
Mr Moroney made it clear yesterday police were still investigating a woman's claim she was raped by Bulldogs players in Coffs Harbour on February 22 last year.
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The Herald can reveal one of Mr Moroney's first actions upon returning from leave this month was to request a report on the status of that investigation.
Mr Madden was acting commissioner when he met Mr Noad on April 5 last year, the day after Channel 9 reported that the rape inquiry uncovered evidence of "criminal activity involving drugs". After the meeting, Mr Noad told reporters Mr Madden had assured him there was no indication a Bulldogs player was dealing drugs and that the alleged criminal reference was to a recreational drug.
The PIC found that while Mr Madden had not told Mr Noad the source of that information, he did communicate to him material obtained by a phone tap, contrary to the Telecommunications (Interception) Act.
The assistant commissioner, Peter Parsons, who as Northern Region commander was in charge of the officers investigating the rape allegations, was at the meeting via telephone and had done the same thing. He faces the same possibility of prosecution.
The PIC cleared the assistant commissioner, Robert Waites, and Superintendent Dave Owens, who were also at the meeting, and Superintendent Dave Swilks, who was with Mr Parsons.
Last night, Mr Madden continued to express dissatisfaction with how the matter had been handled since Mr Moroney announced he was referring the five officers. "The findings and recommendations of the PIC inquiry's Operation Vail have shocked me," he said. "The events of April this year as well as my public naming has made this an extremely difficult and stressful time for me and my family." Mr Madden, who is on leave until next month, told the Herald his meeting with Mr Noad had not jeopardised the Bulldogs investigation. "At that point in time the police brief of evidence had already been served on the DPP," he said.
Senior officers were privately more sympathetic to Mr Parsons, who is highly regarded across the force.
Mr Parsons said yesterday: "I'm upset with the process but more upset for my family. However, I have been overwhelmed by the support ... shown by my colleagues and friends."
The Police Association president, Bob Pritchard, said Mr Parsons had the union's full support. "The clearing of the bulk of these officers, however, confirms our concerns that [Waites, Owens and Swilks] were publicly named in the first place," he said.
Within police headquarters, the strongest ill-feeling was towards Mr Noad, who publicly released information at the meeting but escaped any adverse finding by the commission.
Mr Moroney, who will seek advice from the force's professional standards command about the future of Mr Madden and Mr Parsons, did not let Mr Noad or the Bulldogs escape.
His announcement that the Bulldogs investigation is continuing will infuriate Mr Noad and the Bulldogs, who insist the DPP's decision not to charge any player with any offence closed the matter last year.
Mr Moroney praised Mr Madden and Mr Parson yesterday and said they would continue to do their jobs.
By Cynthia Banham and Joseph Kerr
June 16, 2005
Photo: Dallas Kilponen
The Deputy Commissioner, Dave Madden, will not become the state's next top cop following the Police Integrity Commission's finding he made "significant errors of judgement" in connection with the Bulldogs rape inquiry.
The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions will consider charging Mr Madden with a criminal offence, but the commission's finding of poor decision-making is more significant because it is unequivocal.
Senior officers last night privately conceded Mr Madden was out of the race to replace Ken Moroney when the commissioner goes next year. The chances of his fellow deputy, Andrew Scipione, have improved.
Colleagues believe Mr Madden should have seen the consequences of his decision to discuss during a meeting with the Bulldogs' boss, Malcolm Noad, information from phone taps used in the Bulldogs inquiry.
But they are seething that the reputations of Mr Madden and four other senior officers have been damaged in a public relations exercise with Mr Noad.
Mr Moroney made it clear yesterday police were still investigating a woman's claim she was raped by Bulldogs players in Coffs Harbour on February 22 last year.
AdvertisementAdvertisement
The Herald can reveal one of Mr Moroney's first actions upon returning from leave this month was to request a report on the status of that investigation.
Mr Madden was acting commissioner when he met Mr Noad on April 5 last year, the day after Channel 9 reported that the rape inquiry uncovered evidence of "criminal activity involving drugs". After the meeting, Mr Noad told reporters Mr Madden had assured him there was no indication a Bulldogs player was dealing drugs and that the alleged criminal reference was to a recreational drug.
The PIC found that while Mr Madden had not told Mr Noad the source of that information, he did communicate to him material obtained by a phone tap, contrary to the Telecommunications (Interception) Act.
The assistant commissioner, Peter Parsons, who as Northern Region commander was in charge of the officers investigating the rape allegations, was at the meeting via telephone and had done the same thing. He faces the same possibility of prosecution.
The PIC cleared the assistant commissioner, Robert Waites, and Superintendent Dave Owens, who were also at the meeting, and Superintendent Dave Swilks, who was with Mr Parsons.
Last night, Mr Madden continued to express dissatisfaction with how the matter had been handled since Mr Moroney announced he was referring the five officers. "The findings and recommendations of the PIC inquiry's Operation Vail have shocked me," he said. "The events of April this year as well as my public naming has made this an extremely difficult and stressful time for me and my family." Mr Madden, who is on leave until next month, told the Herald his meeting with Mr Noad had not jeopardised the Bulldogs investigation. "At that point in time the police brief of evidence had already been served on the DPP," he said.
Senior officers were privately more sympathetic to Mr Parsons, who is highly regarded across the force.
Mr Parsons said yesterday: "I'm upset with the process but more upset for my family. However, I have been overwhelmed by the support ... shown by my colleagues and friends."
The Police Association president, Bob Pritchard, said Mr Parsons had the union's full support. "The clearing of the bulk of these officers, however, confirms our concerns that [Waites, Owens and Swilks] were publicly named in the first place," he said.
Within police headquarters, the strongest ill-feeling was towards Mr Noad, who publicly released information at the meeting but escaped any adverse finding by the commission.
Mr Moroney, who will seek advice from the force's professional standards command about the future of Mr Madden and Mr Parsons, did not let Mr Noad or the Bulldogs escape.
His announcement that the Bulldogs investigation is continuing will infuriate Mr Noad and the Bulldogs, who insist the DPP's decision not to charge any player with any offence closed the matter last year.
Mr Moroney praised Mr Madden and Mr Parson yesterday and said they would continue to do their jobs.
