Officer Agrees Investigator Was "Shut down"

Newcastle Herald
May 10, 2013

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/1493796/inquiry-officer-agrees-investigator-was-shut-down/?cs=12

[VIEW THE TRANSCRIPTS OF THE INQUIRY HERE]

HE’D spent five days in and out of the witness box, but Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox was unwavering when asked the same question for the fifth time during his cross-examination yesterday.

Yes, he thought the police strike force set up to investigate child abuse cover-ups within the Maitland-Newcastle Catholic diocese was set up to fail.

Yes, he ignored orders from superiors and shared information with a journalist; yes he lied to colleagues; yes he thought his standing down from the investigation was corrupt; yes he thought police handling of the investigation was a sham; and yes, he thought senior Catholic clergy should be called to account.

During his final cross-examination before the Special Commission of Inquiry in Newcastle yesterday, Mr Fox was accused of a ‘‘character assassination’’ of several police appointed to roles on Strike Force Lantle.

The strike force was set up in 2010 after a string of revelations by the Newcastle Herald raised questions about senior Catholic clergy and how they handled allegations against disgraced former priests Denis McAlinden and James Fletcher.

Mr Fox said he didn’t mean to question the capabilities of individual officers – more that the strike force didn’t include him, was given inappropriate manpower, failed to act with any urgency; and strike force officers were appointed to roles by superiors who knew they were about to go on extended sick leave.

Also appearing before Commissioner Margaret Cunneen SC yesterday was the head of the NSW sex crimes squad Detective Superintendent John Kerlatec.

Shown documents by Mr Fox’s counsel, Mark Cohen, Mr Kerlatec agreed that the early response by police to claims of sex abuse cover-ups within the diocese appeared to lack urgency.

He also agreed that while an investigating officer appeared keen to proceed quickly, he was being ‘‘shut down’’ by his superior officer, Detective Inspector Dave Waddell.

Asked by Mr Cohen if the allegations raised in material given to police by Herald journalist Joanne McCarthy seemed ‘‘very serious’’, Mr Kerlatec also agreed.

However, under questioning from Pat Saidi representing several senior police, and in his own submission to the inquiry, Mr Kerlatec said he saw no problems with the way in which the police investigations and Strike Force Lantle were proceeding.

‘‘From everything I saw, the investigation was progressing well,’’ Mr Kerlatec said.

Asked what he thought about the effectiveness of Strike Force Lantle, Mr Kerlatec said ‘‘I thought it had a high probability of succeeding.’’

Outside court yesterday, Mr Fox said he was ‘‘drained and mentally exhausted’’.

‘‘I knew this was going to be a rough time,’’ he said. ‘‘I didn’t expect an easy time but I still have no reservations about what I’ve said.’’

Detective Superintendent Waddell is expected to appear before the commission on Monday, along with key witness, Joanne McCarthy.

THIS WEEK AT THE INQUIRY

¦Monday

Peter Fox says he was warned by former colleague-turned-MP Troy Grant about a ‘‘Catholic mafia’’ in Newcastle’s police ranks.

Mr Fox reveals that after having discussions with the DPP he decided not to pursue charges of hindering a police investigation against former diocese bishop Michael Malone.

Mr Fox reveals details of how he was stood down from the investigation and banned from talking to Herald journalist Joanne McCarthy.

He says his office was raided by two superior officers while he was on leave.

¦Tuesday

Mr Fox admits that he lied to police colleagues because he didn’t trust them.

Mr Fox admits he was ordered to cease contact with Herald journalist Joanne McCarthy despite insisting she had more information and witnesses than all the senior police put together.

¦Wednesday

Troy Grant denies ever using the term ‘‘Catholic mafia’’.

Mr Grant says he never had any interference in his investigations from superiors while he was a police officer, but says he did receive obstruction from senior Catholic clergy.

Mr Grant repeats claims he was visited by a nun at his home who provided false evidence to him before tipping off a priest he was about to charge.

¦Thursday

Mr Fox accused of changing police records to show he had been investigating disgraced former priest Denis McAlinden for longer than he had.

Mr Fox comes under fire for sending a Twitter message containing information that had been suppressed by the commissioner.

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¦Friday

Head of NSW sex crime squad John Kerlatec agrees that police response to church cover-up allegations appeared to lack urgency.

Mr Kerlatec goes on to say Strike Force Lantle was well operated and had high probability of succeeding.

Mr Kerlatec agrees that material given to police by Joanne McCarthy was ‘‘very serious’’ and warranted investigation.