Lindt siege: Police furious over inquest ‘show trial’
EXCLUSIVE: THE Police Association of NSW has launched a blistering attack on the inquest into the deadly Lindt cafe terror siege, claiming it was a “show trial” that destroyed the reputations of police officers.
NSW
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THE Police Association of NSW has launched a blistering attack on the inquest into the deadly Lindt cafe terror siege, claiming it was a “show trial” that destroyed the reputations of police officers.
“This has not been a calm and rational inquiry into the tragic deaths of two young Australians,’’ acting association president Tony King said. “The past few months have descended into a show trial attacking the character and performance of all police involved.’’
Despite the inquest throwing light on a remarkable catalogue of errors in the way police handled the siege, Mr King believes it unfairly tarnished the reputation of the entire police force.
Mr King did not name or attack the Coroner, Michael Barnes, or make any reference to the roles played by Commissioner Andrew Scipione or Deputy Commissioner Cath Burn — despite the fact both senior officers attempted to avoid giving evidence before the inquest.
Both Ms Burn and Mr Scipione were forced to appear after repeated requests by the families of the two hostages who died, Tori Johnson and Katrina Dawson.
Police stormed the Lindt cafe in Martin Place at 2.13am on December 16, 2014, after terrorist Man Monis executed Mr Johnson.
Tactical response officers shot Monis dead. Ms Dawson was tragically killed by bullet fragments from police gunfire.
At 9.30am on December 15 Monis took 18 hostages, raised a makeshift IS flag and told his prisoners he had a bomb in his backpack.
The inquest spent nearly 20 months examining how Monis came to the country and how he was allowed to be free on bail for conspiracy to murder and sex charges at the time of the siege.
It also dissected in detail the police operation over the next 17 hours.
During a speech at the annual commissioned officers’ dinner at Parliament House on Friday night, Mr King made the unprecedented criticism of the inquest during a passionate defence of police officers involved in the siege.
“There is one simple question that should be asked of sideline commentators and instant experts who have the temerity to criticise those that were involved ... would you go through the door or order someone else to do so? On behalf of the membership, I wish to publicly thank all of those involved.”
The Police Association has hit back at what it sees as unfair public criticism of the catalogue of missteps during the siege.
Greens MP David Shoebridge had his invitation to the dinner withdrawn by the association after he attacked police in state parliament, saying the force was a disgrace “from top to bottom’’.
Police were also critical of the length of time it took to carry out the inquest and said they believed too much detail relating to police tactics was revealed to the public.
They fear this could potentially endanger counter-terrorism operations in the future.
The Police Association has called on the government to appoint a specially trained Supreme Court judge to conduct future inquiries involving terrorist attacks.
“There has to be a better way for these incidents to be reviewed, as is the case in the recent terrorist events in France and Germany,” Mr King said in his speech.
“We will be advocating with the government for a system which provides for an expeditious judicial review process conducted by a specially trained Supreme Court judge.
“This would require procedural fairness, natural justice and the maintenance of the rule of law while ensuring police methodology and tactics are not compromised.’’
CORONER LAMBASTS OFFICER’S CONDUCT
Ashleigh Gleeson
A CORONER has slammed the way police handled an abduction in which a woman was killed, outlining a litany of failures that included an officer going to bed while she was still missing and not bothering to find out what happened to her the next morning.
Stacey Lee Hutchins was kidnapped by her ex-boyfriend Dean Willet, who had a history of domestic violence, from a Holbrook roadhouse.
Seventeen hours later the 25-year-old suffered fatal head injuries after she was pushed, or forced to jump in fear of Willett, from a moving truck in Blayney.
Deputy State Coroner Paul MacMahon said it was “abundantly clear” the NSW Police response was inadequate and Ms Hutchins’ life would have been saved if they had responded properly.
The inquest heard Senior-Constable Jason Cheshire, who was ordered to investigate her kidnapping, stopped working at 10.13pm after the first triple-0 call was made just after 9pm.
He did not alert supervisors and failed to find out what happened the next day.
Police made no further investigations until they were called to the scene where Ms Hutchins had fallen from the truck at 4.20pm. She died in hospital of her injuries.
Mr MacMahon said there was no explanation given for Snr-Const. Cheshire’s failure to take action on the night or to investigate the next day.
“I am satisfied his failure to reasonably investigate and comply … contributed to the inadequate response,” he said.
No charges have been laid over Ms Hutchins death.
VALUABLE LESSONS WE HAD TO LEARN
Mark Morri
THE NSW Coroner’s Office last night vigorously defended its handling of the Lindt siege inquest, saying it had not unreasonably targeted members of the police.
“It has not been a witch hunt. It has been a careful, factual analysis of exactly what happened,” Counsel Assisting the Coroner Jeremy Gormly SC told The Daily Telegraph.
“At all times the bravery of the police officers who went in has been acknowledged.
“The difficulties of the siege for any police force has been brought out in detail. The UK Police Review Team were of this view and no one has contradicted it.
“The inquest has found problems that the police on their own could not have found and could not have known about.
“It has also provided a clear overall picture of the performance of the police.”
Mr Gormly said that because two hostages were killed it was important to make sure every detail of how they died was made public: “The review of police action has been careful and thorough and there has been benefit for the public in seeing it.
“The findings of his Honour will assist not only the police but the relationship of the police with other authorities. “The outcome of this will be far better terrorist responses
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