'Fox Did Not Have the Resources': Assistant Commissioner

By Elle Watson
Maitland Mercury
May 14, 2013

http://www.maitlandmercury.com.au/story/1499871/fox-did-not-have-the-resources-assistant-commissioner/?cs=170

INQUIRY CONTINUES: Assistant commissioner Carlene York has given testimony.

Assistant commissioner Carlene York has told the Commission of Inquiry that Peter Fox was removed from overseeing investigations into the alleged Maitland-Newcastle Catholic Church abuse cover-up because his command did not have the resources to cope with a complex investigation.

Assistant commissioner York said she allocated the investigation to Newcastle and would do it again.

"I didn't consider Port Stephens to be an option ... I didn't believe they had the resources to carry out what could be a complex investigation, even today I wouldn't have given it to Port Stephens," assistant commissioner York said from the witness box this morning.

Although detective chief inspector Fox had taken preliminary statements from victims, Assistant Commissioner York said his responsibilities were as crime manager of the Port Stephens Local Area Command.

She said, at the time, Port Stephens LAC had nine detectives while Newcastle had 30.

The Inquiry continues.