Top cop taken off William Tyrrell case a ferocious and passionate investigator

If Detective Chief Inspector Gary Jubelin crossed a line chasing the truth behind William Tyrrell’s disappearance, it cannot be condoned. But few would argue his motivation was anything other than to finally achieve justice for the little boy, writes MARK MORRI.

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Sidelining Detective Inspector Gary Jubelin from the William Tyrrell case would not have been an easy decision for the NSW Police hierarchy.

The seasoned detective known widely as “Jubes” is as close to a celebrity cop as we have in this state, and he’s been the face of the investigation into the disappearance of William in September 2014.

Detective Chief Inspector Gary Jubelin with a replica of the Spider-man suit William was wearing when he vanished. Picture: Nathan Edwards

William Tyrrell was just three when he vanished from the yard at his foster grandmother’s house.

But insiders describe Jubelin as a lone wolf who is difficult to manage.

He is known to tackle all of his cases with a ferocity and passion bordering on obsession.

It was this drive during the investigation into the Bowraville child murders that resulted in a law change, allowing the principle of double jeopardy to be dispensed with if there was compelling new evidence to recharge a suspect.

There are hundreds of detectives just as dedicated as Jubelin — not only in the glamour squads of counter-terrorism, criminal gangs and homicide, but also in the bush and suburban stations, chasing rapists, thieves, drug dealers and petty crooks.

Detective Chief Inspector Gary Jubelin has led police efforts to get justice for murdered Bowraville kids Colleen Walker, Clinton Speedy and Evelyn Greenup. Picture: Supplied by Sixty Minutes

But none has his public profile, built in part around the intense interest in the Tyrrell case.

If he crossed a line chasing the truth behind William’s vanishing, it cannot be condoned.

But inside the close-knit world of law enforcement yesterday, few would argue his motivation was anything other than to finally achieve justice for the little boy and his frustration the investigation has not been able to be sealed.

The pressure to solve this case would be immense.

There was a time in NSW when allegations like these would have not resulted in an internal investigation.

Not any more.