ID :
15894
Thu, 08/14/2008 - 20:40
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/15894
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Tasmanian police chief stands aside
Tasmania's Police Commissioner Jack Johnston has stood aside while police mount an investigation into an alleged disclosure of official secrets.
Premier David Bartlett has hinted he will ask his cabinet to support the creation ofan independent anti-corruption investigator in the wake of the scandal.
Mr Bartlett said Mr Johnston was interviewed on Wednesday night by the deputy police commissioner and the director of public prosecutions under caution on "certainmatters".
"They informed me that there is reason to suspect that a crime may have been committed involving the disclosure of official secrets," Mr Bartlett told reportersin Hobart on Thursday.
"Following this meeting, I spoke with the police commissioner, and he hasvoluntarily stepped aside from his position while the investigation is undertaken.
"I am not making any judgment about the veracity of the allegations against him, but his decision is clearly the most proper response to these circumstances."Deputy police commissioner, Darren Hine, has been appointed acting commissioner.
Mr Bartlett would not confirm when the alleged breach took place, nor whether it wasconnected with the resignation of former deputy premier Steve Kons in April.
Mr Kons resigned after being exposed by the Greens as misleading parliament over theappointment of a new magistrate.
Tasmanian police were investigating how shredded documents relating to the matterwere made public.
Mr Bartlett indicated he would on Monday seek cabinet approval for a submission to parliament's joint select committee on ethical conduct on the need for an"independent investigation body".
"And that submission, to be considered by cabinet on Monday, will contain,obviously, the proposed government position on these matters," he said.
"And I'll inform you as soon as I'm able, following the cabinet's deliberation on that matter, of the government's position with regard to an independent investigative body."Mr Hine said it was business as usual for police as the investigation continued.
"I acknowledge these are difficult circumstances but, as always, our focus remainson delivering the best possible service to the community," he said.
Premier David Bartlett has hinted he will ask his cabinet to support the creation ofan independent anti-corruption investigator in the wake of the scandal.
Mr Bartlett said Mr Johnston was interviewed on Wednesday night by the deputy police commissioner and the director of public prosecutions under caution on "certainmatters".
"They informed me that there is reason to suspect that a crime may have been committed involving the disclosure of official secrets," Mr Bartlett told reportersin Hobart on Thursday.
"Following this meeting, I spoke with the police commissioner, and he hasvoluntarily stepped aside from his position while the investigation is undertaken.
"I am not making any judgment about the veracity of the allegations against him, but his decision is clearly the most proper response to these circumstances."Deputy police commissioner, Darren Hine, has been appointed acting commissioner.
Mr Bartlett would not confirm when the alleged breach took place, nor whether it wasconnected with the resignation of former deputy premier Steve Kons in April.
Mr Kons resigned after being exposed by the Greens as misleading parliament over theappointment of a new magistrate.
Tasmanian police were investigating how shredded documents relating to the matterwere made public.
Mr Bartlett indicated he would on Monday seek cabinet approval for a submission to parliament's joint select committee on ethical conduct on the need for an"independent investigation body".
"And that submission, to be considered by cabinet on Monday, will contain,obviously, the proposed government position on these matters," he said.
"And I'll inform you as soon as I'm able, following the cabinet's deliberation on that matter, of the government's position with regard to an independent investigative body."Mr Hine said it was business as usual for police as the investigation continued.
"I acknowledge these are difficult circumstances but, as always, our focus remainson delivering the best possible service to the community," he said.