NSW Police Training Centre – Redfern – 1st Employment: Class # 086A
2nd Employment: Class # 104
New South Wales Police Force
Rejoinee
( 1st Employment ) Regd. # 98** – 99**
1st Class to ever be Sworn In whilst wearing Summer Uniform. Also had the shortest Initial Training of 1 month. Sworn In on Monday. Started work at their stations on Tuesday.
( 2nd Employment ) Regd. # 11542
Rank ( 1st Employment ): Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on Monday 27 February 1961 ( aged 23 years, 3 months, 6 days )
Probationary Constable – appointed 27 March 1961 ( aged
Constable – appointed? ? ?
Constable 1st Class – appointed? ? ?
Detective – appointed ? ? ?
Senior Constable – appointed? ? ?
Final Rank ( 1st Employment ): = ?
Stations ( 1st Employment ): ?, – Resignation
Time employed ( Paid ) with NSW Police ( 1st Employment ): From: 27 February 1961 to ? ? ? = ? years,
Service ( From Training Date ) period ( 1st Employment ): From 27 February 1961 to ? ? ? = ? years, Service
Retirement / Leaving age ( 1st Employment ): = ?
Time in Retirement from Police ( 1st Employment ): ?
Rank ( 2nd Employment ): Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on Monday 16 August 1965 ( aged 27 years, 8 months, 26 days )
Probationary Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable – appointed 17 October 1965
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Detective – appointed ? ? ? ( YES )
Final Rank ( 2nd Employment ): = Detective Constable 1st Class
On 2 October, 1970 Detective Constable Ware was part of a specially formed squad attempting to apprehend an armed and dangerous rapist who had been operating in the Sutherland area.
A decoy car was set up at Loftus Oval with a number of police both inside it and surrounding it in the darkness. During the stakeout one of the police could not be contacted on his portable radio and when the decoy vehicle left the oval for a short time Detective Ware went to find out what had happened.
As he neared the man with the faulty radio he was mistaken for the rapist and shot. Detective Ware had not answered when challenged and almost walked over the man on the ground. Visibility and conditions were extremely poor at the time. The detective constable was conveyed to the Sutherland District Hospital where he died a short time later.
The constable was born in 1937 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 16 August, 1965.
From the 3 October 1970 until 12 October 1970, Detective Constable 1st Class Jan. ( John ) STANIOCH ( # 11333 ) was on loan to the “Revesby Rapist Task Force” to replace Detective Denis WARE.
Denis initially joined the NSW Police Force on 27 February 1961 and after Resigning, re-joined again on the 16 August 1965.
Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995),
Tuesday 6 October 1970, page 13
Detective killing: police are silent
SYDNEY, Monday. — A high-level inquiry into the fatal shooting of a young detective continued today, but senior officers refused to say what progress had been made.
Detective Constable Denis Robert Ware, 24, a special duties officer, of Sutherland police station, was shot dead during a “stake-out” last Friday night.
It is believed Detective Ware was shot by another detective who had seen movement in the bushes, where Ware was hiding.
Surrounding ‘decoy’ car
The police were surrounding a “decoy” car in bush land in an attempt to catch a rapist who has recently attacked courting couples in the area.
A young policeman and a policewoman sat in the decoy car pretending to be lovers.
A CIB riot squad detective with an automatic pump-action shotgun crouched behind them in the back seat.
Within minutes of the shooting Police Commissioner Allan had ordered CIB Superintendent Lendrum to the scene to start an immediate investigation.
Today the investigation was still continuing under Detective Inspector W. G. Clyne.
Detective Constable Denis Robert Ware was buried at Woronora Cemetery today.
Detective Ware died last Friday night during a police attempt to catch a rapist at Loftus in a lover’s lane, known as “Mad Mile”.
A police officer fired three shots, one of which hit Detective Ware in the chest.
A departmental inquiry is under way and a coroner’s court hearing is to be conducted.
The Police Commissioner, Mr Allan, the Metropolitan Superintendent, Mr. E. Lynch, and the chief of the CIB, Detective Superintendent R. Lendrum, were among those at the funeral.
Many of Detective Ware’s police friends and private friends attended.
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
On the evening of28 / 29 March 1865Senior Constable HERBERT, along with Constables ( Trooper ) James COOK and Edward AMBROSE and Tracker Peter HOGAN, were searching for the Hall Gang of bushrangers in the bush between Forbes and Canowindra.
The bushrangers had earlier robbed a store at Forbes and information had been obtained indicating that they were headed for Canowindra.
The police party made camp in the bush on the creek nearMogong, a small roadside settlement close to Canowindra.
Senior Constable Herbert announced that he and Constable Ambrose would be leaving the camp to keep watch on a hut where they suspected the gang might be hiding. It was arranged that should either he or Ambrose return during the night they would whistle to alert the camp of their approach.
Unfortunately, Herbert and Ambrose did return during the night but, after losing their way in the darkness, they approached the police camp from a different direction than expected.
Being closer than they believed to the camp, they also did not whistle to signal their arrival.
Believing the approaching riders to be the bushrangers Constable Cook issued a challenge on two occasions without receiving a reply, so on the second occasion both he and Peter fired into the darkness, unfortunately hitting Constable Herbert in the groin, neck and shoulder. He died about a week later.
The Sydney Morning Herald dated 29 May, 1865 indicates that Constable Cook was charged with a criminal offence following the shooting, reporting that “Constable Cook was placed on his trial to-day, at the Quarter Sessions, for shooting Constable Herbert, and was acquitted… The Court has concluded its sittings.”
The senior constable was born in 1837 and joined the police force on 1 September, 1859.
In 1862 he became a member of the newly-formed New South Wales Police Force.
At the time of his death he was probably stationed at Canowindra.
Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser (NSW : 1856 – 1861; 1863 – 1889; 1891 – 1954),
Saturday 6 May 1865, page 3
Trooper Cook has been acquitted on a charge of wounding Sen. ConstableJohn Redman Herbert, near Canowindra, but was severely reprimanded by the Carcoar Bench.
AT the Police Office, Carcoar, before Mr. L. V. Dulhunty, P.M., the fatal shooting case was reopened this morning, by order of the hon. the Attorney-General.
James Cook was charged by Thomas Roberts, sub-inspector of police of the Carcoar district, with firing at and woundingsenior constable Herbert, while on duty in the bush, of which wounds the said J. R. Herbert died.
Charles Lydiard, superintendent of the Western police, swore that he accompanied Mr. W. M. Rothery, J.P., on the 4th April last, to Canowindra, for the purpose of taking the sworn statement of constable Herbert, who was lying dangerously wounded at the police station there ; it was taken in the presence of the prisoner, James Cook ; saw Herbert make his mark to the statement, and I witnessed it. Statement put in and read, as follows :—
“I, John Redman Herbert, went out on the 28th of March to look for bushrangers, in company with constable Ambrose, Cook, and Peter the black tracker.
We went to Molong ( sic ), then to the Nyrang Creek, and then went into camp, at dusk, on the Mogong Creek.
We had some tea, when I proposed to visit a certain place in company with constable Ambrose.
I told Cook to short-hobble the horses, and take care that they did not get away, and be careful not to fire or shoot any person that he did not know. I took the top off my powder flask, and showed him how I would blow on it as a signal, if we came back before morning.
We then left the camp on foot, and returned about 12 or 1 o’clock.
As we were returning, to the camp, and as I was putting the top of the powder flask to my mouth to whistle, I saw something suddenly jump up before me, and, before I could whistle, I received a shot on the hip, and I had hardly spoken before a second shot struck me on the shoulder ; I fell ; the first shot was fired by Cook, the second by Peter ; Ambrose was a yard or two behind me.
The three men came and picked me up and put some blankets round me ; they went for assistance ; Cook remained with me ; he told me he thought it was the two men that were after the horses, that he was tired of watching, and lay down, but did not go to sleep.
I make this statement, knowing that I have been dangerously wounded, Constable Cook, now in the room, is the man that I allude to as having fired the piece that shot me.
his mark: X. JOHN HERBERT.
Witness — Charles Lydiard. mark.
Edward Ambrose, swore that he was a constable, and stationed at Canowindra ; on the 28th of March, Herbert, Cook, myself, and Peter, the black tracker, went out in search of the bushrangers ; at dusk, we camped on the Mogong Creek, about a mile and a half from Mogong ; after tea, Herbert proposed that he and I should go and watch a certain place, and told Cook to look after the horses, and not let them go away, and not to fire at, or shoot any person unless he knew who it was ; he then took off the top of his powder-flask and blew on it, and said, if we return before daylight, that will be the signal we shall give on nearing the camp, we then left on foot, and returned about 12 or 1 o’clock ; the camp was in a sapling scrub, the night was dark, and we missed our way, and came upon it unawares ; when we were about fifteen yards from the camp two shots were fired, when Herbert called out “Don’t, don’t, you have shot Herbert;” I did not hear Cook call out before the firing, but he might have done so, as I slipped down just as the firing commenced, which caused me to be several yards behind Herbert, when he was shot he staggered a few paces and then fell, Cook appeared very sorry, and said that he thought it was the bushrangers, as two men had been and disturbed the horses; he said he challenged them, but they did not answer; I went to Mogong for assistance, and Cook remained with Herbert; Cook was sober, and I never knew him to quarrel with Herbert; the night was dark; we did not return to the camp the same way we left, we could just see some person at the camp, but could not tell who it was; I did not measure the distance, from the camp to where Herbert fell, Herbert, Cook, and myself were armed with breech-loading rifles, Peter had a carbine.
By Cook: I did not hear Herbert tell you that we should be back at the camp that night, I do not know what orders Herbert gave you when you and he were on the other side of the ridge.
Peter Hogan, an aboriginal, born in New England, and christened by a priest at Darling Downs, stated that he was a tracker in the police, and was out with Herbert, Ambrose, and Cook, looking for the bushrangers when Herbert was shot; we camped at night some distance from Mogong , after tea … Cook to short hobble the horses, and not let them go away, he also blew into the top of a powder-flask, and said that he would give that signal when they came back to the camp ; Herbert and Ambrose then went away on foot, and Cook and myself went to look after the horses, after which I made the bed, and went to sleep ; after some time Cook woke me by knocking me on the knee, and said here they are ; we heard something move, but could not see what it was ; I saw two men on horseback ; we could not tell who they were ; Cook challenged them, but got no answer ; I again laid down, and went to sleep, when Cook woke me again by saying here they are ; we saw two men coming towards the camp ; Cook called out who comes here, but got no answer ; Cook and I then fired, Cook first ; after the shots were fired, heard Herbert call out ” you have shot Herbert.”
Hugh M Rowland, sworn : I am a duly qualified medical practitioner ; on the 29th of March I attended senior-constable Herbert ; he was suffering from two gunshot wounds ; one of the balls had entered the flank, passed through the kidney, and lodged in the loins, from which I extracted it ; this wound was sufficient to cause death ; the other wound was in the neck and shoulder ; I saw him on the 14th of April, when he was dying ; I have since heard that he was dead.
Constable Casey proved senior-constable Herbert died from the effects of the wound.
Committed for trial at the Bathurst Quarter Sessions.
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
Inscription: Sacred to the memory of Richard Bodily ( Note there is only 1 ‘L’ in the surname )( Gravestone has yet another spelling ” Bodiley “, A Native of Penzance in Cornwall, England. Chief Constable of Scone, who departed this life on the 7th May 1854 ” from the effects of a Pistol Shot accidentally received in the discharge of his duty “. Aged 33 years.
The chief constable was accidentally shot while escorting two prisoners to the Scone Police Station. As Chief Constable Bodilly and another constable were en route with their prisoners a pistol discharged, wounding the chief constable in the knee. Although he was conveyed to Scone for treatment, he succumbed to his wound and passed away on 7 May, 1854.
The coroner’s verdict following an inquest at Scone on 8 May, 1854 indicates that death was caused by the “accidental explosion of a pistol”. It appears he was succeeded at Scone by Chief Constable Hugh Brien Murray. The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River Advertiser of 10 May, 1854 reported the incident.
“ACCIDENT – A few days since one of the Muswell Brook constables was sent to the neighbourhood of Scone in search of two men, for whose apprehension warrants were issued. The chief and another constable of Scone also went in search, and apprehended the men, and whilst escorting them to the lockup, by some means or other the chief constable’s pistol went off, and the ball lodged in his knee and fractured the bones. He was conveyed to Scone, and attended by two doctors, who endeavoured to extract the ball, but could not do so.”
At the time of his death the chief constable was aged 33 years and was stationed at Scone.
He is not listed in the official New South Wales Police Honour Roll.
The Widow, Mary Anne BODELLY ( Spelt with an ‘E’ instead of ‘I’, married Charles Day MURPHY ON 30 August 1855 at Scone, NSW.
Sydney Quarter Sessions
Monday 12 August 1850 page 2
Before the Chairman and Mr. David Allan, J.P.
The Crown Prosecutor conducted the following cases on behalf of the Crown.
John Day and Philip Kedley were indicted for assaulting Richard Bodilly, a constable, while engaged in the execution of his duty.
The Jury found the defendants guilty, with a recommendation to mercy, and they were sentenced to be each imprisoned and kept to hard labour in Sydney Gaol for the term of three calendar months.
Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser (NSW : 1843 – 1893),
Wednesday 10 August 1853, page 4
Government Gazette.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 1853.
NOTICE – SCONE.
Notice is hereby given, that the Justices of the Peace acting in and for the police district of Scone, in Petty Sessions assembled, have this day (July 29th) appointed Mr. Richard Bodilly, chief constable, to be Inspector of Weights and Measures for the police district of Scone.
Constable William Eiffe memorial unveiled by Oxley police at Bendemeer Cemetery
Breanna Chillingworth
A PERMANENT memorial to recognise a fallen officer has been unveiled near Tamworth on the 150th anniversary of his death.
Constable William Eiffe died from a gunshot wound to the thigh on January 24, 1867, and is buried in an unmarked grave in the Bendemeer cemetery.
Oxley police together with Tamworth Regional Council – who helped to construct the memorial – commemorated his career in the force in a service on Tuesday morning.
”It’s a great part of the local history to have this recorded and I think it brings some interest in the local cemetery and the history of Bendemeer,” Oxley Acting Superintendent Jeff Budd said.
“And, hopefully for centuries to come, people will be able to come here and look at this and remember what has happened in our past.”
The Singleton-based officer was on a police escort on the night before his death when he was accidentally shot in the leg.
“On the evening of Wednesday the 23rd of January, 1867, there was a gold escort moving through the Moonbi Ranges, approximately seven miles from Bendemeer,” Oxley Sergeant Josh McKenzie said.
“A rain show had caused members of the escort to retreat into the carriage, another member of the escort had handed his rifle to Constable Eiffe, he rested the rifle across his thighs with the butt resting against the side of the coach.
“It is thought that the shaking and bouncing of the carriage has caused the rifle to accidentally discharge, shooting Constable Eiffe in the thigh.”
Constable Eiffe was left at Shepherds Hut nearby and the coach returned to Tamworth.
Memorial service: Oxley Acting Superintendent Jeff Budd lays a wreath at the unveiling of the plaque at the Bendemeer cemetery. Photos: Breanna Chillingworth Memorial unveiled: Oxley Acting Superintendent Jeff Budd with Sergeant Josh McKenzie in Bendemeer.
Memorial service: Oxley Acting Superintendent Jeff Budd lays a wreath at the unveiling of the plaque at the Bendemeer cemetery. Photos: Breanna Chillingworth Memorial unveiled: Oxley Acting Superintendent Jeff Budd with Sergeant Josh McKenzie in Bendemeer.
Paying tribute: Senior Oxley police, along with officers from Kootingal, Walcha, Nowendoc and Tamworth, pictured with Tamworth councillor Phil Betts.
Memorial unveiled: Oxley Acting Superintendent Jeff Budd with Leading Senior Constable Ron Stoltenberg and Cr Phil Betts.
William EIFFE Memorial William is actually buried in an unmarked grave.
“Dr Scott of Tamworth was taken to the hut but unfortunately Constable William EIFFE died from the effects of the gunshot wound at noon on the 24th of January, 1867.”
Acting Superintendent Budd said the service was a reminder of how far the force had come in 150 years.
It is thought that the shaking and bouncing of the carriage has caused the rifle to accidentally discharge.
Sergeant Josh McKenzie
“One of the things that would be a tragedy today is for this to occur and his family to not be supported,” he said. “In the days of Constable William Eiffe, his wife and four children would have been destitute without the support we have today and we should be grateful for that.”
Of Note: Searching NSW State Archives & Records on 14 May 2018:
There are NO surnames of FYFFE
There are NO surnames of EFFE
There are NO surnames of EIFFE
There were no Williams born in 1834
There is no Registered number 1154 on that website. There is 1153 ( Beatty ) and 1155 ( Moloney ) but no 1154
A wildcard search on ‘FFE‘ didn’t reveal any similar names or anyone born in 1834 on THAT website.
Danny Webster notes on 24 January 2017:
He is sometimes referred to as “Fyffe” and “Effe”, however the Registers of Police Employment 1847–1885 provides the spelling as “Eiffe”, his registered number as 1154, the fact that he was married at the time of appointment and that he was a former soldier.
The New South Wales Police Gazettes of 5 March, 1862, 3 April, 1867 (£100 gratuity awarded to his wife), and 3 July, 1867 indicate “Eiffe”.
His death was registered at Armidale as “Eiffe”.
He is incorrectly listed in the official New South Wales Police Honour Roll as William “Effe”.
This was originally recorded as:
Constable William FYFFE
Accidentally Shot
Tamworth
24 January, 1867
On 16 January, 1867 Constable Fyffe was performing gold escort duty on a coach travelling between Bendemeer and Tamworth. It is thought that the shaking of the coach caused a rifle to accidentally discharge, shooting the constable. The wounded constable was left in a shepherd’s hut while the coach continued to Tamworth to obtain medical assistance. Dr Scott of Tamworth provided assistance for the constable, however the wound was to prove fatal and he died the following Thursday. He is sometimes referred to as William Effe.
The Sydney Morning Herald dated 25 January, 1867 reported that news from Tamworth had been received that ” Last evening, Constable Fyffe, on gold escort duty, was accidentally shot in the thigh whilst riding in the coach on Moonby Ranges, seven miles from Bendemere. His rifle accidentally discharged, it is supposed, by the shaking of the coach. He was left at a shepherd’s hut. The escort proceeded to Tamworth, and on its arrival there Dr. Scott was immediately started off. Fyffe died from the effects of the wound at noon today. He has left a wife and large family at Singleton.
The constable was born in 1834 and joined the police force on 11 August, 1857. In 1862 he became a member of the newly-formed New South Wales Police Force. At the time of his death he was stationed at Singleton.
Murray John GARDEN
27/11/2024
Murray John GARDEN
aka Joe
Joined NSW Police Force via NSW Police Cadet system on Monday 2 February 1976
Cadet # 3221
Redfern Police Academy Class 157
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 17762
Rank: NSW Police Cadet – commence 2 February 1976 ( aged 17 years, 2 months, 9 days )
Probationary Constable – appointed 24 November 1977 ( aged 19 years, 0 months, 0 days )
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Detective – appointed ? ? ? ( YES )
Detective Constable 1st Class – appointed 24 November 1982
Senior Constable – appointed 24 November 1986
Final Rank: ?
Stations: ?, Mossman, Mudgee ( G.D’s then ‘ A ‘ List Detectives), Dubbo – death
Service: From 2 February 1976to? ? ( 1990’s )
Awards: ? National Medal – granted 15 January 1996 ( can’t verify this is the same person )
Born: Monday 24 November 1958
Died on: Saturday 24 May 1997
Cause: Suicide – (1) Attempted – unsuccessful Drug over dose ( 2 ) Committed – Police revolver
Age: 38 years, 6 months, 0 days
Event location: Dubbo – at home
Funeral date: ?
Funeral location: ?
Buried at: plaque in a rose garden at Western Districts Memorial Park, Boothenba Rd, Dubbo, NSW
Memorial at: ?
JOE is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance, nor the Remembrance Wall, Sydney Police Centre, Surry Hills ( last checked Oct 2022 ) * BUT SHOULD BE
Funeral location: ?
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Joe GARDEN was at Mudgee Police Station around 1987-88 in uniform. Not sure where he was prior to that.
Joe started in the Detectives office as an ‘A’ lister around that time. He was left high and dry after the designated detectives moved on and he was forced to run the detectives office ‘one out’.
Apparently Joe hit the bottle quite badly and finished up banging up a police vehicle ‘on duty’ whilst intoxicated.
Had some major fights with ‘senior officers’ and was forced onto sick leave.
Joe was ‘Force transferred’ to Dubbo Intelligence Office and worked there for a year or two before he drew his service revolver, went home and shot himself.
It is believed that Joe was aged in his late 20’s or early 30’s, married with young kids at the time.
( 2019 ) Information is that Joe had attempted a drug over dose and had been admitted to Dubbo Base Hospital where, apart from other methods, he was orally administered ‘charcoal’ to absorb the poison.
He was seen, in Hospital, by a Mental Health worker who asked how he was. Joe’s forceful reply was ” I’m FINE !! ” and Joe repeated that statement.
Later, that morning, Joe was discharged home.
Joe attended Dubbo Police Station where he picked up his Police issued revolver and went home where he placed a pillow slip over his head before fatally shooting himself, in the head, whilst on the lawn.
May you forever be at Peace Joe.
Further information is sought about this man, his life and his death.
Internet searches have failed to find anything further as of this date – 1 June 2016 or 5 June 2019 – on this man.
Ashley is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
Constable Ashley John HARDIN, NSWPF
Ashley HARDIN, aka Bull, died as the result of a gun shot wound to the head with his service revolver.
He committed suicide as a result of how Police management treated him in relation to a 181D ( show cause why his employment should not be terminated ).
The NSW Police Commissioner at the time was Peter Ryan.
Plaque in the Muster Room of Sutherland Police Station in memory of Ashley John HARDIN
14 September 2015:
Ray Lambie: Gosh it is bad today! I went to Sutherland in 1998 & I was a team leader there. Bull was on my team and had suffered a malicious complaint arising from a domestic dispute that had occurred prior to his entry to the academy. Every time the domestic dispute was re visited a complaint was lodged with NSWPOL. He was cleared to enter the job, cleared whilst in the job on a number of occasions. In 1998 when the domestic complaint was raised again PIAB decided to give Bull a 181D ostensibly to make him do the work to get out of the complaint merry go round. He was suspended. He one day came in and took his service revolver to Darks Forest and committed suicide. On the day of his funeral I returned to the Sutherland Police Station and submitted my resignation. An absolute disgrace.
Morgan James HILL
27/11/2024
Morgan James HILL
New South Wales Police Force
Goulburn Police Academy Class # ???
Regd. # 40683
Rank: Commenced Training at Goulburn Police Academy on ? ? ?
Probationary Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank: Constable 1st Class
Stations: Waverley
Awards: Commissioner’s Unit Citation for actions on Sunday 11 December 2005
Service: From 29 April 2005 to 27 March 2009 = 3+ years Service
Born: Tuesday 25 January 1983
Died: Friday 27 March 2009
Age: 26 years, 2 months, 2 days old
Cause: Severe PTSD – Suicide – self inflicted gunshot wound, with Service Glock, at Fishermans Rd, Malabar
Funeral date: Thursday 2 April 2009
Funeral location: Our Lady of Sacred Heart Church, 193 Avoca St, Randwick
Grave location: Ashes Interned at Botany Cemetery on 25 January 2010
RC6 – Roman Catholic FM 6 – 560
Morgan commenced his shift at Waverley Police Station at 8pm on the evening of 27 March 2009.
At 8.39pm, at Fisherman’s Road, Malabar, in his private vehicle, Morgan ended his life whilst suffering severe depression induced by the effects of anti-depressant medication he had been prescribed.
Morgan was born on 25 January 1983 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 29 April, 2005.
He was 26 years of age at the time of his death by suicide and stationed at Waverley, Eastern Suburbs Local Area Command.
Morgan is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of RemembranceBut Should be
MORGAN ( as of 2017 ) IS mentioned on the NSW Police Wall of Remembrance
* Stemming from the continued work of the wives of four Fallen NSW Police to Suicide – those four names will now be included in the newly refurbished NSW Police Wall of Remembrance, Sydney, as of 2017
Congratulations to those family members who fought the fight to right this wrong.
Commissioner Scipione has telephoned each of us today to advise that our loved ones names are being added to the replacement NSW Police Force Wall of Remembrance, to be unveiled in the next few weeks.
We would like to thank everyone who has offered support over a long and difficult journey and truly hope this sets a precedent for all police departments, not only in Australia but the global policing community.
It is so very important to remember that policing can and often does have a detrimental effect on those who serve.
We believe that the inclusion of suicide deaths, stemming from a work related psychological injury, is the most compassionate way of showing that the police hierarchy truly cares.
7 years ago this Easter Sunday, on 27 March, we lost our only brother and son, Morgan Hill. He took his life on duty that night. I would never wish this type of grief on another family. What has made it worse than losing Morgan though is being subjected to the stigma attached to suicide. With every year that goes by this is reinforced by NSW Police that Morgan’s death (and many before and since) are not worthy of the respect they deserve, because of HOW they died. But…we will continue to highlight this injustice and the shame is not on Morgan or our family…it is actually on YOU – the high ranking officials of the NSW Police Force – and leaders of any Force – that perpetuates this stigma by specifically excluding them from your Wall of Remembrance!
The response, from the Commissioner of Police, to the above Coroners report:
On 2 April 2012, Police Commissioner AP Scipione APM advised the Coroner as follows:
“The NSW Police Force established a Self Harm Prevention Advisory Panel (the Panel) in 2010, following a recommendation of the Deputy State Coroner Dillon in 2009 arising from the death of Sgt Ian Muir. The role of the Panel was recently reviewed and amendments are currently being made to its charter to oversight the NSW Police Force response to Recommendations in all coronial matters involving self-harm by police officers.”
I’d just like to say that it’s my hope sometime down the road after Code Nine has met with much success and people are being helped instead of silenced. I hope I never have to write another poem like this again. Because ending stories like this is what they’re all about. Please remember Mr Hills family and friends in prayer and ask that they be comforted by the memories they treasure. And not haunted by the way his life so suddenly ended. Thanks to all of you for praying. Sincerely Edwin C Hofert
This poem is one of a series of poems written by me for Code Nine Officer Needs Assistance And is intended to honor the fallen officers and their families that are to be featured in the finished documentary. As well as all others.
Morgan Hill – Commissioners Unit Citation re 2005 Cronulla Riots
NSW Police Force
Commissioner’s Unit Citation
Awarded to Constable Morgan Hill
Awarded for outstanding bravery and devotion to duty as a member of the New South Wales Police Force response to civil disorder within the Miranda, Eastern Beaches, St George, and Campsie Local Area Commands.
On Sunday, 11 December 2005, a protracted public order management policing operation commenced in response to a major civil disorder situation in the Cronulla area. The ensuing violent civil disorder continued in Cronulla and other areas, including Maroubra, Brighton, and Campsie, until Tuesday, 13 December 2005, when the situation was brought under control, with peace and good order restored by members of the Force.
The dedication and devotion to duty rendered by these police who were on the frontline throughout this protracted and dangerous policing response and operation exemplifies the courage, expertise, professionalism and commitment of the New South Wales Police Force.
While protecting members of the community and property from rioters, officers were subjected to various forms of assaults and missile attacks. These members of the Force, many of whom sustained injury, remained steadfast in the performance of their duty.
Constable Hill warrants due recognition for his courage and meritourious service during this period of civil unrest and thus is highly commended.
A P Scipione APM
Commissioner of Police
Dated 18 September 2008 but NOT signed.
‘Despite the above Commendation being dated 18 September 2008 ( 6 months before Morgan’s death ), the Certificate was handed to the family Posthumously on the very same day that they were also handed documentation stating that Morgan was NOT going to be mentioned on the Wall of Police Remembrance due to the fact he suicided.
These documents were not given to the family until late 2010.’
Today Tonight TV programme Channel 7, aired this show on Wednesday 23 July 2014.
The below comments were copied and pasted from the TodayTonightadelaide website on 23 March 2016
Jean Simpson says: The Government should be looking at a change in the whole health system , to ask the question why are so many young , old , just so many of the population coming down with Depression , (The Back Dog) . Definitely more counselling services. As well as the government ,we should all try to be more considerate , compassionate to all in society , there is so much suffering out there , and so many issues to deal with today than there was a few years ago. Teresa Cranes comments about the corruption , threats and underhanded dealings within the force has been talked about for as long as i can remember. It makes me really sad to see the young adults of today joining the force with all good intent , with a passion to help our society , only to find that they go to work each day fighting against an epidemic of corruption within there own work place. Like Teresa on this page i knew of an elderly Sergeant who has now retired , because he was told to take an early retirement . To find someone in the force that is not corrupt would be a hard task. How does the average person tell who is who anymore? So sorry for the ones that are trying to make this world a better place , for the opinion of a lot of people is that unfortunately they get tarred with the same brush , one can only imagine the affect on the innocent ones , Wow what a fight they have on there hands ! Love and light to all .
: 4 likes
Amanda Schultz says: Teresa Crane you got it spot on! My dad took hi s life in 1981, right in those good old corrupt years! Made a boss aged 32. Took his life aged 37. Left a wife and three daughters. What else do you do when your “boys” are on the take and the bosses buried their heads? I think there needs to be Royal Commissions to make the brass accountable and expose those we know were hypocrites and criminals. SA Police took a good man and destroyed him and his family….we live with it everyday.
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Peter Roberts says: Very interesting story and definitely needs looking into
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Heather Johns says: It’s unfortunate that they aren’t required to debrief or to talk about an issue without being labelled. It is not just police, fire, ambos, we see it a huge amount in defence too. Why can’t we remove the stigma of PTSD & depression & help those in need as they are helping us? Where is the government funding for more counselling services?
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Ross Beckley says: Great story and thanks for making this public. All emergency service personnel are suffering silently and their organisational management need to start addressing these concerns raised in this story.
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Trevor Hardy says: SAPOL officers need to find themselves a good private psychologist and see them regularly. You can work through problems and if SAPOL are going to continue to sweep the problems under the carpet, then members need to do it for themselves. Or quit. No job in this Universe is worth killing yourself over.
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Jessica Courtney Evans says: Yep…. Someone I’m my family was an officer in nz and took his own life. It’s tragic and awful. They need more support….
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Tanya Eldridge-Tregenza says: It’s no bloody secret it’s been happy for a long time.
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Lynette Millowick says: Missed out on story was working
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Clare Heiss says: Oh poo!! Was really looking forward to seeing it! Thanks for letting us know though!
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Today Tonight Adelaide says: Unfortunately we cannot load the video until it has aired in Perth – at the moment it looks like it may run tomorrow so the video won’t be online until Monday morning
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Berrick Boland says: Today Tonight, rocks.
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Lauren Busbridge says: Same with paramedics!!!!!
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Today Tonight Adelaide says: The video will be uploaded tomorrow
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Clare Heiss says: I can’t find the story in this link @TodayTonight
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Ann Krieg says: PTSD needs to be told and understood. We need to know what and how it happens and to whom. The service men, whether police, or army or navy or air, or whether it is from work and a bad boss or bad experience from an accident, we need to know. 🙂
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Berrick Boland says: The Forgotten 300 Facebook page come on and like us for the families of PTSD and Police suicide victims.
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Anne Heinrich says: Well I am only one of many people I know who admire the police for their kindness and care of those in need, their patience and persistence and tenacious spirit to keep people alive! Maybe if more people told them so (and I include the media) they might feel more appreciated and needed. Don’t give up guys- there are lots of us who think you’re great!
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Sandy McLellan says: I have known many Policeman, but one in particular tells me of the many who simply cannot cope with the ghastly things they have to deal with. We have NO idea how bad it is, very sad. They put their lives on the line for us all the time. Maybe they need much more support on the job and from us, the public.
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Tony Crowley says: They should cover SAPOL . We are not clean either
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John Hirst says: Be good to see it’s getting some publicity and not ‘swept under the carpet’. Lost a few good colleagues from this and there are so many more stepping close to the line with little or no support from the employer. Tony Crowley for your info.
Posted Monday 20 June 2016:
CORONERS COURT
Morgan James Hill:
Deputy State Coroner Mitchell On 9 September 2011 at Glebe and Parramatta
FINDINGS.
I find that Morgan Hill who was born on 25 January 1983 died at Fishermans Road Malabar NSW at about 8.39 pm on 27 March 2009 of a gunshot wound to the head, self inflicted while suffering severe depression.
RECOMMENDATIONS;
That a psychiatrist or psychiatrists be employed in the Health and Well being Unit of Welfare Safety Command or retained so as to ensure qualified psychiatric oversight of all police fitness assessments where mental health or emotional stability are an issue.
2. That appropriate criteria be developed and established to guide and inform police medical officers in assessing the fitness of police officers for various duties within the police force and the fitness of police officers to have possession of a firearm.
3. In particular, that the criteria so developed and established provide that fitness for duty and to carry a firearm is not merely a matter of the absence of a diagnosable psychiatric condition or mental illness.
4. That police medical officer be encouraged to explore with police officers referred by commanders for a fitness assessment the history of that officer and any current or recent medical diagnoses and treatment plan or plans and the identity of that officer’s medical practitioner and to seek the consent of the police officer to that medical practitioner providing appropriate medical information to the police medical officer and that unwillingness to provide that consent be among the matters to be reported to the referring commander.
5. That psychologists assisting in the preparation of fitness assessments be accorded independence from police medical officers.
6. That police medical officer be reminded of the provisions of the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 and, so far as the provision of information to commanding officers is concerned, be encouraged to act in accordance with its terms.
7. That the practice of placing reliance on psychological tests in the preparation of fitness assessments be reviewed by an independent expert.
8. That the freedom of commanding officers to make their decisions as to the removal or restoration of firearms informed by considerations other than those dealt with by police medical officers be encouraged.
9. That commanding officers be reminded of their entitlement to the provision of information pursuant to the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002.
10. That consideration be given to the establishment of a mentoring system of young officers by more senior officers with a view to the guidance, support and oversight of the performance of those young officers.
RESPONSE
On 2 April 2012, Police Commissioner AP Scipione AMP advised the Coroner as follows:
“The NSW Police Force established a Self Harm Prevention Advisory Panel (the Panel) in 2010, following a recommendation of the Deputy State Coroner Dillon in 2009 arising from the death of Sgt Ian Muir.
The role of the Panel was recently reviewed and amendments are currently being made to its charter to oversight the NSW Police Force response to Recommendations in all coronial matters involving self-harm by police officers.
”Please click here to link to a table which sets out the full Police Force response to the recommendations made by Coroner Mitchell. (Unavailable)
Denise HodderThis is hideous that these precious lives are lost and no one in power seems to care ….?
Clare HeissI can tell you, as Morgan’s sister, whom attended this inquest for the two weeks duration it ran, that our family have not once heard about any follow up to these recommendations. Furthermore my parents were invited to be on the “self harm committee” when it began, BEFORE the inquest mind you, but attended maybe two meetings and as far as we know either does not exist anymore or is called something else, but either way we have not been asked to continue to be a part of the panel in terms of reviewing the recommendations made by then Coroner Scott Mitchell (now deceased) nor any ongoing consultation as a family who have lost a police officer to suicide.
Rank: Commenced Training at Goulburn Police Academy on 25 June 2006
Probationary Constable – appointed 30 January 2007
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank: Posthumously promoted to Detective Constable
Service: From ? ? ?to 9 September 2010 = ? years Service
Stations: Bathurst, Campsie, Bankstown
Cause: Accidentally Shot – friendly fire
Event location: Cairds Avenue, Bankstown
Born: Tuesday 29 May 1984
Died on: Thursday 9 September, 2010
Age: 26 years, 3 months, 11 days
Funeral: 16 September 2010 at St Andrew’s Cathedral, central Sydney, NSW
The constable was accidentally shot during the execution of a search warrant in Bankstown on 9 September, 2010. He was posthumously awarded Commissioner’s Valour Award.
At the time of his death the constable was aged 26 years and had joined the New South Wales Police Force in 2007.
Shot officer awarded posthumous promotion and valour medal
Date
William Crews remembered at funeral
Tributes to William Crews from his brother and the NSW Police Commissioner at his funeral in Sydney.
NSW police officer William Crews, who died during a drug raid a week ago, has been posthumously awarded the Police Commissioner’s Valour Award and promoted to detective.
The 26-year-old trainee detective had been with the force for just three years when he was accidentally shot by a fellow police officer during the operation in Sydney’s southwest on September 9.
He loved his job and gave it everything that he could offer and I believe that this was why he was so successful in his chosen profession. He was a larrikin and loved to laugh but also knew when the job had to be done.
About 5000 well-wishers, mostly made up of members of the NSW Police Force and including members of the emergency services, public and political leaders, gathered in and outside of St Andrew’s Cathedral in central Sydney to pay their respects at his funeral.
Officers carry the coffin into the cathedral. Photo: Peter Rae
After graduating from Goulburn Police Academy in 2007, the newly promoted Detective Constable Crews served at Campsie Local Area Command before he was rapidly promoted to the Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad earlier this year.
It was an extraordinary achievement, NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said at his funeral today.
“William was not in the NSW Police Force for long, but by anyone’s record, he was on a rapid upward path,” he said.
Fellow officers carry the coffin to the altar. Photo: Peter Rae
Positions within the State Crime Command were highly sought after, Mr Scipione added.
“It is a place where our most-skilled detectives want to go,” he said.
“If you get there at all, it’s usually after a long apprenticeship.
William Crews.
“If you get there quickly, it is because you have something that sets you apart.
“And William had that certain something.”
Along with the Valour Award, for “conspicuous merit and exceptional bravery” during the raid at Bankstown, Mr Scipione also posthumously promoted Constable Crews to the rank of detective.
The detective constable’s coffin, draped with the Australian flag and native flowers, was carried into the church by officers including his brother, Constable Ben Crews. ( #41398 ).
Moments earlier, a pianist played an uplifting version of the pop music ballad He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother.
Ben Crews described his younger brother as a larrikin who loved to laugh, loved his job and motor bikes, camping and farm life.
“He was man of great achievement, a man of integrity, a man of loyalty and a man of honour, a man of ethics and, lastly, a man who never gave up and kept fighting to the end,” Ben Crews said.
“I will never forget you and miss you with all that I have.
“I know you will be looking down upon us today with that smile which touched and enriched the lives of so many, thinking how lucky you were to be loved so much by so many people.
“Rest in peace mate.”
Senior Constable Ben Kemp( #34819 ) from Det Const Crews‘ home town of Glen Innes, where it is believed he will be buried, told police mourners the fallen officer was a reason for them to keep getting up each day to go to work.
“His legacy is our legacy …” he said.
“He is 15,000 of us …
“He made a difference.”
The Anglican Archbishop of Sydney Dr Peter Jensen said the family had set an example for the community on how to grieve.
They had met with the officer who accidentally shot Det Const Crews to assure him they did not hold him responsible for his death.
“In particular, we want to thank you for showing us how to forgive,” Archbishop Jensen said.
“Like it or not, some people in your position may have responded with anger and even cries for vengeance.”
After the service, police officers formed a guard of honour down George Street.
The funeral procession included mounted police, a police band and colleagues from Campsie Local Area Command and the Middle East Crime Squad.
TO his brother he was Bill; to his uni mates he was Will; to his police colleagues he was Crewsy.
To the thousands of strangers who yesterday attended the funeral of the slain constable despite never having met him, William Arthur George Crews was a hero who represented everything that is good about the force.
More than 5000 people, including 2300 uniformed police officers, looked on at Sydney’s St Andrew’s Cathedral as Constable Crews was remembered as a loyal and honest man who died just as he was beginning to realise his potential.
The 26-year-old trainee detective was accidentally shot dead by fellow police officer Dave Roberts during a drug raid in Sydney last week.
Sergeant Roberts was among the mourners yesterday, having been publicly reassured by the Crews family earlier this week that he was not to blame for the tragedy.
NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione described Constable Crews as a brave young officer whose career was on “a rapid, upward path”.
“William Crews didn’t lose his life on the 9th of September; he gave his life,” Mr Scipione said. “And he gave it in the very way that he lived — in the service of others.”
Constable Crews had only recently been deployed to the Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad, which was a reflection of his abilities, the Police Commissioner said.
“If you get there at all, it’s usually after a long apprenticeship,” Mr Scipione said. “If you get there quickly, it is because you have something that sets you apart. And William had that certain something.”
Mr Scipione said Constable Crews, who grew up in Glen Innes in northern NSW, would be honoured with a posthumous designation of detective constable. He also posthumously received the Commissioner’s Valour Award for “exceptional courage” shown during the fatal drug raid.
Constable Crews‘s older brother, Ben, who is also a policeman, said his younger sibling was a “larrikin” who always looked out for others.
“He was man of great achievement, a man of integrity, a man of loyalty and a man of honour, a man of ethics and, lastly, a man who never gave up and kept fighting to the end,” Constable Ben Crews said. “I know you will be looking down upon us today with that smile which touched and enriched the lives of so many, thinking how lucky you were to be loved so much by so many people.
Mr TONY STEWART (Bankstown—Parliamentary Secretary) [1.46 p.m.]: Yesterday I travelled to Glen Innes where I attended the funeral of Detective Constable William Arthur George Crews, known by his family, his friends and the police community as Bill or Crewsy. Also in attendance at the funeral were the Premier of New South Wales, Kristina Keneally; the Minister for Police, Michael Daley; the Speaker of the House, Richard Torbay; the New South Wales Commissioner of Police; police commissioners from other States; high-ranking police officers throughout New South Wales; and more than 500 general duties police officers. Also present were family, friends and community members; people lined the street. It is tragic to attend the funeral of a person who has passed away at 26 years of age. It is even more tragic when the courageous person—a member of our New South Wales Police Force from my electorate of Bankstown—was killed in action. The Bankstown community is really hurting. I have received many condolences, more than 1,000 at this stage, from friends and constituents of Bankstown who want to say one simple thing to the family: Sorry.
Yesterday the funeral was presided over by Reverend Chris Brennan, Vicar of the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Glen Innes; Reverend Alex Thomas, Police Chaplain of Bankstown Local Area Command; and Reverend Alan Lowe, Senior State Police Chaplain. It was a beautiful service. In addition, friends of Bill Crews gave a wonderful rendition of aspects of his life, and the opportunities that he afforded to them and to others in the Glen Innes community. It was one big family coming together to celebrate this great man’s life. At 26 years of age this man had lived three lives in terms of his contributions and achievements. This funeral and the State funeral, which was held last week at St Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney, have had a profound impact on me and my understanding of the Police Force.
Last Thursday, following the State funeral, more than 400 police came to Bankstown to attend the wake, which was held with minimal notice at Bankstown Sports Club. I pay tribute to Bankstown Sports Club for providing the facilities, services, food and beverages. It was an opportunity to bring the brothers and sisters of the New South Wales Police Force together as a family to recognise not only the achievements of Constable Bill Crews, posthumously Detective Constable Bill Crews, but also the work of our police officers. I will read to the House a poem recited by Constable Kemp at last week’s funeral. It is important for us as members of Parliament to note the words. The poem reads:
Ben
Stay strong brother. Nothing we say can change what’s happened.
Your brother, our brother, died for what’s right.
He gave his all for what we believe in. He did what you would do.
He is the reason why we get up each and every day and go to work to keep our streets as safe as we can.
He is you. You are him. We are him. He gives us hope.
He is the reason why we will continue to get up and go to work.
Stay strong brother. He is gone but we will always remember his courage and strength in the face of grave danger.
You will survive and grow stronger, we will grow stronger with you.
Stay strong brother. The ultimate sacrifice was paid by one of New South Wales’ finest.
He lays peaceful, knowing he has done all for our cause, his cause.
Stay strong brother. His legacy is our legacy. He is us. 15000 of us.
We will continue to stand and fight, fight with all our heart for what we believe is right.
To protect our families, to protect the weak, to protect the helpless, to protect our way of life as Australians.
He did not leave us in vain, none of us will.
Stay strong brother. Fight or flight is a word we learn early on.
And fight your brother did, and to that end he makes us all proud, because that is what is expected of a New South Wales police officer, and that, my brother, is what he delivered.
Stay strong brother. Not many people live in your world, his world, our world.
Our society takes for granted what he did for us, what you do for us, what we do for them.
It is an unforgiving, terrible, gutless world sometimes, most times.
But every now and then someone makes a difference, he made a difference—a big difference.
Stay strong brother.
He is their hero, our hero, my hero.
He is Will Crews. May he rest in peace.
PROSECUTORS will appeal the seven year sentence given to Philip Nguyen, the man responsible for the death of trainee detective William Crews. NSW Attorney General Greg Smith released a statement this morning saying he has been informed by the DPP Lloyd Babb SC that they “have decided to appeal against the sentence handed down to Philip Nguyen.”
The 57-year-old was sentenced to at least seven years behind bars, but with time already in custody he will be eligible for release in September 2017.
He pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Constable Crews, who was killed from a bullet to the neck while on a raid of a Bankstown garage in September 2010.
The gunshot which killed the promising 26-year-old officer came from his colleague’s gun, but the court found Nguyen had been responsible for the death by starting a shoot-out with police.
In sentencing him to a maximum of nine years and six months in prison, Justice Elizabeth Fullerton said “although he didn’t fire the shot which killed him, he caused his death.”
Mr Smith and Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said on the day of Nguyen’s sentence earlier this month they hoped the DPP would appeal.
Constable Crews’ father Kel said outside the courtroom following the sentence “it doesn’t seem to us to be appropriate for our family, for the police and for the community.”
“He has given his life in the line of duty, we have been sentenced to life- the sentence that has been given down has been nothing to what we have been sentenced to,” Mr Crews said.
The matter will be mentioned in the Court of Criminal Appeal later this year.
THE incident lasted just 2.8 seconds – from the time police shouted “search warrant” to the last of five bullets being fired. For three years Detective Senior Constable Dave Roberts, 42, has been struggling to understand how a routine warrant ended with his mate killed from a bullet he fired.”For a long time I couldn’t think clearly about the matter,” Roberts said.
In 2010, his team from the Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad were in the carpark of a Bankstown unit block to search drug supplier Philip Nguyen, 55.
It was considered so low-risk that detectives walked into the garage without guns drawn.
Constable Crews, 26, had just joined the squad as a highly recommended recruit. He was carrying a folder under his arm.
Extensive intelligence checks would tell police Nguyen was not armed.
Then they spotted him.
Roberts remembers an incredibly cramped space, Nguyen walking quickly out of his garage, the muzzle of his gun flashing as it fired, and Crews promptly returning fire three times.
“I’ve dropped what I was holding, drew my gun and fired once,” he said. “All that took less than three seconds.”
His words slow as he recalls regrouping with his colleagues behind a brick wall when the shooting stopped. They realised Bill was missing.
“We were looking down the garage … we saw Bill lying motionless.”
He exhales deeply before continuing.
“I was expecting to see Nguyen on the ground as well. I was hoping like crazy my round had struck him.
“About 10 seconds after it dawned on me that my round may have struck Bill.” Roberts‘ world fell apart after that night – his colleagues’ too. The commanding officer who approved the warrant later quit the force and to this day blames himself for the whole incident.
Another detective who saw the tragedy unfold self-medicates with alcohol and medication. He is a mess.
Roberts suffered the most. He has held his silence since but agreed to share his story in the hope it might assist others suffering extreme trauma.
His path has been a lonely one. It is the only friendly fire case in NSW Police Force history where a policeman has died in the line of duty.
After the incident he was taken to hospital and treated for injuries caused during a grief-stricken rage. His knuckles still bear the scars from that night as he tried to punch holes through brick walls inside the garage.
He woke to discover Nguyen was in custody and uninjured, ending any hope his bullet struck its intended target.
A carload of senior police would arrive on his doorstep later that evening to break the news his bullet struck Crews.
“That was one of the worst days of my life.”
At his lowest point Roberts was gambling heavily and dependent on Xanax to regulate his moods. He also began experiencing debilitating panic attacks. He had previously never gone near a poker machine now he was addicted. His marriage of 18 years nearly collapsed.
“I lost thousands over a 12-month period. Initially I played low amounts _ $10 at a time _ but on occasions I would put in $500. It was an escape … a very expensive way to numb the mind.”
With the help of sessions at a post-traumatic stress clinic he managed to walk away from gambling in April last year but there would be other struggles.
Crews’ desk had been left untouched when he returned to work a month after the incident. Little reminders of him were everywhere. They exchanged two emails just before heading off that night.
“I’ve only just deleted them,” Roberts said. “I kept them for two years.
“When I hit send on those emails everything was good. Bill was still alive. They’re a painful reminder.” Compounding his grief were reports suggesting the search was “botched”, implying he was clumsy or ill-prepared.
“It hits hard,” he said. “I knew the word `botched’ wasn’t a nice word. I looked it up and the definition is everything I’m not.”
Nguyen‘s solicitor would later assert in court that Roberts, a stickler for safety precaution, was the only officer wearing a ballistic vest that night. Incorrect. Another detective, Tom Howes ( # 40442 ) was wearing body armour – and for good reason. Howes was with Roberts the night of December 27, 2007, when a Comanchero bikie pointed a gun in their direction during a traffic stop, prompting two shots to be fired.
Both officers, ever since, insist on body armour.
Until just a few months ago, Roberts said he could not forgive himself. Nagging questions were dogging his mind. What if he had aimed better? What if the bullet had been two centimetres to the right? What if the gun was angled higher?
He would return to the Bankstown garage several months after the shooting with two police colleagues – one a tactical weapons expert, the other a detective – to reconstruct the incident and seek their impartial advice.
Statistically it was impossible to replicate the circumstances of the shooting. The whole thing was a tragic, freakish one-in-a-million, they said.
“I beat myself up for a long time over this,” Roberts said, citing family, close friends, police colleagues and the police chaplain, Frank, as those who brought him back from his living hell. “I don’t `what if‘ so much anymore. I don’t blame myself anymore.”
Nguyen has been sentenced to seven years jail over the death of Crews that night. Prosecutors have appealed, saying the punishment was “manifestly inadequate“.
Roberts is still in the force, but in a different command. He has several important reasons for staying – he wants to set a positive example for people and show life can go on after even the worst tragedies. The job, he says, is an extremely noble profession. But a major factor that is close to his heart is Crews‘ mother. “I made a promise to Sharon … She said if we left the cops it would compound her grief.”
On September 8, the anniversary of Crews’ death, Roberts will visit the memorial. Every year he goes by himself, looks at Crews‘ name, and remembers that night and his colleague in private.
“There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about what happened and not a day goes by where I don’t think about Bill. And there hasn’t been for the past three years.
“I think about Bill only being a young man and he had everything ahead of him.
“I know he was well-loved by his family, by his friends.
“I know there isn’t a day that goes by (that) they wouldn’t miss him either.”
National Police Wall of Remembrance, Canberra. TOUCH PLATE DETECTIVE CONSTABLE WILLIAM ARTHUR GEORGE CREWS
Officer’s death hits local police hard
By BRENDAN ARROW
ANOTHER LIFE LOST: Chifley Local Area Command Acting Inspector Lionel White ( # 24873 ) said police in Bathurst have been personally affected by the death of Constable William Crews in Sydney on Wednesday night. Photo: BRENDAN ARROW 091010
POLICE in the ChifleyLocal Area Command have been personally affected by the death of trainee detective William Crews.
The 26-year-old died in a Sydney hospital after he was shot while carrying out a drug operation on Wednesday night with seven other officers from the Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad in Bankstown, in Sydney’s south-west.
The officers were fired upon outside the targeted property in Cairds Avenue about 9pm. Constable Crews was hit in the head and neck.
Philip Nguyen, 55, has since been charged with shooting with intent to murder and discharging a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Geehad Ghazi, 27, has been charged with possession of an unauthorised firearm.
Yesterday, Acting Inspector Lionel White said the tragic situation in Sydney had personally impacted on a number of officers who knew Constable Crews.
“It is a very shocking situation, a couple of the officers here at the Bathurst Police Station knew him and have been left very upset by the situation,” he said.
“Some of the officers worked with him and trained with him before he became a detective.
“For those officers, we are offering them support and counselling during this tough time.”
Reminding people of those officers who lost their lives in the Bathurst area in the line of duty is a memorial board naming the 13 policemen who have died in the line of duty.
Since Trooper Robert Lovell McDougall died in 1853 near Sofala, 12 officers have fallen in the line of duty in Bathurst area with Sergeant Paul Mitchell Quinn the last, on the March 30, 1986.
Acting Inspector White said the latest death in Sydney brought to the forefront the difficult circumstances that police can find themselves in daily.
“On top of the very mundane things we do every day this is a stark reminder of the dangers police officers can face while in the front line,” he said. “This very much reminded us of the risk officers sometimes have to take while in the line of duty.
An inquest into the shooting death of a Sydney police officer in a botched drugs raid five years ago has found errors in the planning and execution of a search warrant, stemming from “inadequate training” and “ineffective supervision”.
Constable William ‘Bill’ Crews was unintentionally shot by a colleague in returning fire from a drug dealer, in the underground car park of an apartment block at Bankstown in Sydney’s south west in September 2010.
He later died in hospital.
In handing down his findings, New South Wales Coroner Michael Barnes said Crews was killed as a result of “cascading, compounding errors“.
“Sadly, it seems likely that had these errors not occurred Bill Crews may not have died,” Mr Barnes said.
Outside the Glebe Coroners Court, Crew’s father Kelvin Crews said he was emotional.
“Our family has tragically been affected for the rest of our lives,” he said.
“It’s a tragic incident that’s occurred and we never want it to happen again.”
Young and ‘relatively junior’
Crews was “a good bloke and a good cop” committed to learning his new role as a detective in the Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad.
On September 8, 2010, the 26-year-old was one of several “relatively junior detectives”, who thought they were attending a routine search after being tipped off about a man dealing cocaine and heroin from a garage to Middle Eastern crime families, including the Hamze and Kalache families.
None of them had advanced weapons training and none were prepared for what unfolded, according to the coroner.
William Crews’ father Kelvin speaks to the media outside the inquest into his son’s death.
When the group, led by Crews, entered the basement, they headed towards the wrong garage.
Affected by drugs and with little English, 58-year-old Philip Nguyen fired on the seven undercover officers who were not displaying identification, thinking they were robbers.
Detective Senior Constable Dave Roberts returned fired whilst trying to get cover.
The coroner said Detective Senior Constable Roberts did not know exactly where Crews was at the time and his movement meant he could not control where his gun was pointing when it fired.
This is contrary to police procedures and training.
Risk assessment ‘critically compromised’
Police expected a drug deal would occur at Nguyen’s garage that night involving Middle Eastern crime families; however, the operation was deemed low-risk.
The NSW coroner was highly critical of the risk assessment and its approval by more senior ranking officers.
The court heard Detective Inspector Michael Ryan( # 20029 ) sought to downplay the risks by suggesting Nguyen, an Asian male, was less likely to possess weapons or attack police because “Asians tend to be businessmen”.
Inspector Ryan also asserted the Kalache family was “a spent force”.
Mr Barnes said the risk assessment was also informed by inadequate intelligence gathering and reconnaissance, which could have prevented the officers attending the wrong garage that night.
“To merely drive by the premises and stop outside briefly when two inhabitants of the unit block were able to facilitate access was unwise and unnecessarily scant,” Mr Barnes said.
The coroner noted NSW Police had made improvements in the way risk assessments were now conducted and in training and oversight.
Whilst body armour would not have saved Crews, the coroner also noted NSW Police was planning to introduce soft body armour vests that would clearly identify the wearer as a police officer.
“I am satisfied NSW Police has rigorously engaged with each of the inadequacies highlighted by the circumstances in which Detective Bill Crews died,” Mr Barnes said.
Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione has refused to say if he would consider disciplinary action against the officers involved, saying he would need to first read the coroner’s report.
About 6.30am on 7 January, 2000 Senior Constable Potter was preparing to complete a night shift at the Eagle Vale Police Station. He was shot when a service firearm was accidentally discharged and was conveyed to the Campbelltown Hospital. He was found to be dead on arrival.
The senior constable was born in 1972 and at the time of his death he was stationed at Eagle Vale.
Robert Wayne TAIT
27/11/2024
Robert Wayne TAIT
aka Bob
New South Wales Police Force
Joined via the NSW Police Cadets on 24 February 1964
NSW Police Academy – Redfern – Class 106
Cadet # 1927
Regd. # 11786
Rank: NSW Police Cadet – commenced 24 February 1964 ( aged 16 years, 11 months, 5 days )
Probationary Constable – appointed 19 March 1966 ( aged 19 years, 0 months, 0 days )
Robert is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * BUT SHOULD BE
Robert Wayne TAIT headstone – Narrabri Lawn Cemetery. Portion A2, Row Q
Robert Wayne TAIT – Grave
Robert Wayne TAIT – Memorial Stone outside of Narrabri Police Station. Rob’s mother also planted an Olive Tree there at the same time. 29 September 2002
In 1996 Inspector Bob Tait was the officer in charge of police at Narrabri. On the morning of Friday 29 March of that year he ended his own life at the Narrabri Police Station.
The Northern Daily Leader of 30 March, 1996 reported the death.
Stunned colleagues and the Narrabri community are this morning trying to come to terms with why such a respected policeman would kill himself. Inspector Robert Tait, 49, went to work yesterday morning, where he had been serving as the patrol commander, walked into an unoccupied office, took his service revolver and ended his life.
The inspector joined the New South Wales Police Force on 24 February, 1964 as a cadet, and was sworn in on 19 March, 1966. At the time of his death he was stationed at Narrabri, where he was the patrol commander.
Class 106 – Redfern Police Academy – Sworn In 4 April 1966. This Group are the Cadets from that Class. Rear ( L – R ): Alan CHAMPION ( R.I.P. ) # 11922, Tony ANTUNAK # 11920, H.M. ‘ Max ‘ McKINNON # 11919, Ray ADAMS # 11785, Maurie GREEN # 11784, Mal BRAMMER # 11921, Mick JONES # 11783 Front ( L- R ): Phil MARTIN # 11788, Keith BYRNES # 11787, Mick BAMENT # 11917, Robert TAIT # 11786, Jim WOODEN ( R.I.P. ) # 11918, Lee RANKIN # 11924
It took up 451 hearing days, heard from 902 public witnesses and cost an estimated $64 million. Malcolm Brown reports on the Wood royal commission, 10 years on.
It began on June 15, 1995, when an unnamed Annandale detective jumped to his death from the seventh floor of a building, apparently through fear of the Wood royal commission. The detective’s suicide was followed by those of Ray Jenkins, a dog trainer (July 10), and Inspector Robert Tait, the acting patrol commander at Narrabri ( March 29, 1996 ). Nineteen days later a former Wollongong alderman, Brian Tobin, gassed himself.
On May 8 the same year, Peter Foretic gassed himself the day after giving evidence about paedophile. On September 23, Detective Senior Constable Wayne Johnson shot himselfand his estranged wife after being adversely named in the royal commission. On November 4, David Yeldham, a retired judge about to face the royal commission on questions of sexual impropriety, killed himself. A month later Danny Caines, a plumber and police confidant, committed suicide at Forster, on the North Coast.
Altogether, 12 people enmeshed in the Wood royal commission took their own lives. Scores of others were so profoundly affected by proceedings that their supporters and families believe it shortened their lives. A former detective, Greg Jensen, suffered a recurrence of the stomach cancer that ultimately ended his life, while another former detective, Ray McDougall, who faced the threat that commission investigators might expose his extramarital affair if he did not co-operate, succumbed to motor neurone disease.
There is no doubt that the Royal Commission into the NSW Police Service, headed by the Supreme Court judge James Wood, purged the force of a roll call of rotters. A total of 284 police officers were adversely named, 46 briefs of evidence were sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions and by 2001 nine officers had pleaded guilty to corruption offences and three not guilty. Seven police officers received jail sentences, including the former Gosford drug squad chief Wayne Eade and a former chief of detectives, Graham “Chook” Fowler.
Several high-profile police ended their careers in disgrace, including Ray Donaldson, an assistant commissioner, whose contract was not renewed, and Bob Lysaught, the commissioner’s chief of staff, whose contract was torn up. Charges against 14 officers were dismissed because of irregularities in search warrants and their execution.
That left the question of what to do with police who were on the nose but who could not be brought to account by normal means. The solution was the creation of section 181B of the Police Service Act, under which the police commissioner could dismiss an officer on the basis of what had come out of the royal commission. Section 181D allowed the police commissioner to serve an officer with a notice indicating that he “does not have confidence in the police officer’s suitability to continue as a police officer”. The officer could show cause as to why he should be retained, and if dismissed could appeal to the Industrial Relations Tribunal.
In the wake of the two legislative changes, 380 officers were targeted for dismissal or internal investigation. By March 1998, 19 police officers had been dismissed under section 181B and three under 181D. Another had been dismissed under a separate provision of the act, 14 had resigned, four had been medically discharged and 15 had been given performance warning notices. Others were under consideration, and as the Police Integrity Commission – a legacy of the royal commission which became a permanent watchdog – has demonstrated, even officers who had been corrupt many years before were not necessarily in the clear.The former independent MP John Hatton, who was instrumental in setting up the royal commission, said he thought the Police Integrity Commission was the royal commission’s “greatest achievement”. The Child Protection Enforcement Agency, which launched a purge of sex offenders, is another positive legacy of the royal commission.But 10 years on, was the exercise worth it?To some there were considerable benefits. Some appalling malpractice – known as “process” or “noble cause” corruption – prompted Wood to wonder at one point about the quality of a lot of police evidence he had accepted over the years.Despite this, many officers still believe the royal commission was too puritanical. They claim the investigators, not able to grapple with the really big issues, jumped on anything they could: “They had to have runs on the board,” says Michael McGann, who as a policeman in 1984 participated in the so-called Kareela Cat Burglar case, in which police used mace on an uncooperative thief and sex offender. To some critics this treatment did no serious harm and only required a word of caution. But under the spotlight of the royal commission 12 years later, it ended the careers of high-flying police such as John Garvey, Brian Harding and Steve York.A decade later, Harding works in corporate security but insists that the real sting was that the investigators had fabricated evidence. When that finally came out, he says, the group received a confidential settlement, but it did little to redress the feelings of outrage.
Another former policeman, Dr Michael Kennedy, says the commission was a political response to the police commissioner, Tony Lauer, bringing about the downfall of the then police minister, Ted Pickering.
The attorney-general, ministry and judiciary took little responsibility for the state of the force, Kennedy says, while the responsibility of the police rank-and-file grew to “the size of a Pacific driftnet”. “I don’t think the royal commission contributed anything to the reform process except to provide a template for double standards,” he says.
“Chook Fowler put $200 into his pocket from Louis Bayeh. Chook was a lazy, good-for-nothing drunk. But he was put into the same category as Ray Williams and HIH.”McGann says that against the string of petty corrupt activities uncovered, “you have to look at what the government did and did not do with gambling and vice, over the decades. There have been direct links to Parliament for 50 or 60 years. That is hypocrisy.”The critics’ view is that the royal commission has left a demoralised police force, tarnished and rudderless, with limited operational effectiveness and the problem of corruption unsolved. Seven police officers have taken their lives since 2001, including two this year.”It highlights the fact that the structure no longer takes in the needs of the NSW police force,” says Mike Gallacher, the Opposition police spokesman, and a former internal affairs police officer.Gallacher believes, as does the NSW Police Commissioner, Ken Moroney, that the tentacles of corruption no longer spread to embrace entire squads or larger units. But it does not prevent low-level incidents of corruption and there are continuing nests of corruption.In its most recent report, the Police Integrity Commission said it had undertaken 21 major investigations in 2005-06. These dealt with extortion, theft, unauthorised disclosure of confidential government information and perverting the course of justice, police brutality and the handling of $250,000 stolen from automatic teller machines. The then police integrity commissioner, Terry Griffin, said there had been 51 investigations in the 12 months, compared with 44 in 2004-05, and the 1141 written complaints represented a 15 per cent increase.Moroney says all these reports are disappointing, but one of the significant statistics was the number of police who were reporting on other police. “You go back a decade and the number of informants who were police was 5 to 10 per cent,” he says. “In the Ombudsman’s last report, that figure was 49 per cent.”The mechanism for dealing with internal complaints has been expedited: “I have not been afraid to use a section 181D notice,” Moroney says.He believes there is a different mentality in the force. A video of the royal commission had been shown at a recent reunion dinner of the old criminal investigation branch. “It is part of our history. But the interesting thing is that when Chookie came onto the screen, everyone booed. That was a signal to the Fowlers and the Eades that those found to have acted corruptly would not be accepted.”
However, Moroney accepts that corruption is not a thing of the past. “In the contemporary period, there are huge monies to be made from the illicit drug environment. You are talking in some cases of millions of dollars. It is the greatest menace in society today. And the greatest menace to officers is drug money. That is why rotation of officers out of specialist squads on a regular basis is important.”Taking over as commissioner five years ago, he had brought a low-key “Uncle Ken” influence, sorely needed, and had had to balance the principles of police accountability against the public demand for law and order, and the task has been awkward.A senior counsel told the Herald this week that the focus on integrity, scrutiny of professional standards and attacks by defence lawyers meant that talented police prepared to do the dirty work were deterred. “In the old days the best and the brightest went into plain-clothes,” he said. “But when the police perceive that when they have to go the extra yard [to get convictions], they are crucified – ‘Why should I go to plain-clothes when I can just get some uniform job with a 12-hour shift, and a second job?”‘Clive Small, a former assistant commissioner who set up crime agencies and established the child protection unit, says that after so many detectives were disgraced in the royal commission, the police force sought to take the spotlight off detectives and put more of the onus of responsibility for crime control onto local area commands. Crime agencies had a continual battle to keep up to strength. Regionalising responsibility for crime control reflected a lack of understanding. “A lot of crime spreads through the metropolitan area, across the state and across the nation,” he says.Kennedy, now a university lecturer, says the “business model” approach is incompatible with good police work. “We cannot expect police to behave like they are in the private sector, where competence is measured in terms of productivity,” he says.Kennedy attended the recent CIB reunion dinner and sat at a table with former drug squad detectives who remained friends of Wayne Eade. He takes issue with Moroney‘s claim that people at the dinner made catcalls when Fowler came on screen. “No one supported Chook,” he says. “But the animosity of the crowd was directed straight at Justice Wood and his commission.”Clive Small, who was also at the dinner, says: “I think it is really a matter of interpretation who they were booing. There were things the royal commission did not take care about. There was a lot of collateral damage. And the implementation [of its recommendations] has been pretty ordinary.”
CRUSADER WHO MADE THE CALL
JOHN HATTON well remembers the audience on May 11, 1994, when he made his speech calling for a royal commission into the NSW Police Service. MPs were listening, of course, but it was a gallery above him, packed with the “top brass of the police force – the commissioner himself, the deputy commissioner, superintendents – they were an intimidating force on the Parliament”.
“They thought they could stare down the Labor Party support for my motion,” Hatton, now retired, says. “It was probably the best indicator of the way in which the police force thought they could control the agenda.”
Hatton won the day, putting paid to a claim by then police commissioner, Tony Lauer, that “systemic corruption” was “a figment of the political imagination”. Hearings started on November 24, 1994, and Justice James Wood delivered his final report on August 26, 1997.
Ten years later, Hatton believes he was vindicated. He says Wood was “the right man” to head the commission and the recruitment of interstate police was crucial, along with the decision to use phone taps and surveillance.
The 11 volumes of material Hatton gave the royal commission had been accumulated over 14 years, he says, from the time he had first spoken up. He had received information on illegal gambling, drug trafficking and police involvement with the mafia.
There had been earlier moves to address police corruption, including inquiries by the Independent Commission Against Corruption, but these had only scratched the surface. “I can remember on one occasion I reported a death threat which had to do with the McKay murder in Griffith and 48 hours later the bloke who had given the information was threatened by a shotgun at his door in Queensland,” Hatton says.
The royal commission came into being because Hatton and other independent MPs held the balance of power in Parliament. The Labor Party may have had high public motives, but also saw a chance to attack the Fahey government. Labor stipulated that an inquiry into police protection of paedophiles, previously in the hands of the ICAC, become part of the royal commission.
The process of gathering information was helped greatly by Trevor Haken, a detective who became an informer and covert investigator as part of a deal to avoid being prosecuted himself.
Hatton says Haken‘s entry was “out of the blue”. Though useful, in the long term it had had a detrimental effect on the fight against corruption. Living in fear and watching his back, Haken had provided “the greatest disincentive for someone coming forward to finger corruption in the system”.
Malcolm Brown
i. ROBERT TAIT
Inspector Tait was a member stationed at Narrabri in 1996. Tait received a letter from the Royal Commission, which set out:
“This is to notify you that evidence will be adduced shortly from a witness who is to be called to give evidence before the Royal Commission into the NSW Police Service to the effect that you did fail to report or investigate complaints of criminal conduct.”
There is ample evidence to support the change in TAIT ‘s demeanour and behaviour following receipt of this letter. He was seen by the Police Psychologist and his own Doctor but on the 26-3-96 he shot himself in his office with his service revolver. He left a note clearly indicating how tortured he had become as a result of being named.
Officers carry the coffin into the cathedral. Photo: Peter Rae
Fellow officers carry the coffin to the altar. Photo: Peter Rae
William Crews.
