Report into the illegal bugging of more than 100 police officers to be made public

A REPORT into the illegal bugging of more than 100 police officers will be made public, with the findings set to have a huge impact on a number of senior cops.

The Operation Prospect findings will have an enormous impact on a number of senior cops.

THE NSW Ombudsman has taken the rare step of publicly squashing rumours he won’t be releasing a report into the illegal bugging of more than 100 police officers to the public.

The Operation Prospect findings will have an enormous impact on a number of senior cops — many of whom are in the running for promotion under an overhaul of the force.

“It has recently been suggested that the Ombudsman has transferred some or all of Operation Prospect to the NSW Police, or another investigative body. This is incorrect,’’ a statement from NSW Ombudsman John McMillan’s office said.

Mr Kaldas and others were subjected to years of bugging. Picture Craig Greenhill

“Prof McMillan has undertaken to complete Operation Prospect and table his report of the investigation in the NSW Parliament before the end of 2016. Once tabled, the invest­igation report will be published on the Ombudsman’s website.’’

The Daily Telegraph understands 33 people, including serving police officers, have been sent “show cause’’ letters informing them they will be adversely mentioned in the report. And up to five people could be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions for criminal charges.

The secret inquiry has cost more than $10 million and has been repeatedly delayed.

It also exposed massive divisions between the current Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione, his deputy Cath Burn and now retired deputy Nick Kaldas.

NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione.

Deputy Police Commissioner Cath Burn. Picture: Jane Dempster

Mr Kaldas and others were subjected to years of bugging by a secret NSW police internal affairs unit of which Ms Burn and Mr Scipione were senior officers.

Operation Prospect started in late 2012 under the former ombudsman Bruce Barbour.

“It is a comprehensive investigation of allegations concerning the conduct of officers,” the Ombudsman website says.

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