Overworked Detectives Passed on Child Sex Abuse Allegations

By Elle Watson
Maitland Mercury
May 13, 2013

http://www.maitlandmercury.com.au/story/1496978/overworked-detectives-passed-on-child-sex-abuse-allegations/?cs=171

OVERWORKED: Detectives were too overworked to investigate child sex abuse allegations passed on by a journalist.

The detective tasked with overseeing an investigation into an alleged Catholic Church child abuse cover up has told a Commission of Inquiry he referred the matters to a larger command because his officers could not take on the work load.

Detective Inspector David Waddell was the crime manager of Lake Macquarie Local Area Command in 2010 when documents alleging concealment of sexual abuse by Maitland-Newcastle clergy were forwarded on by Newcastle Herald journalist Joanne McCarthy.

Inspector Waddell this morning told the inquiry his command had just finished a similar investigation and detectives had initiated industrial actions because of heavy workloads.

"I just didn't think we would be able to commit the resources to complete this investigation," Inspector Waddell said this morning.

He said the matters were forwarded onto the Newcastle Local Area Command.

The inquiry continues.