NT Police conducted surveillance and bugged office of Colleen Gwynne

Police cased Children’s Commissioner Colleen Gwynne’s home and bugged her office in the lead up to a failed bid to prosecute her, it can be revealed.

Northern Territory police conducted surveillance on Children’s Commissioner Colleen Gwynne’s home during their failed attempt to prosecute her over allegations of abuse of office.

It can also be revealed police considered the timing of the 2020 Northern Territory election and the Supreme Court trial of former assistant commissioner Peter Bravos – who was charged and later acquitted of rape – when developing a plan to charge Ms Gwynne.

Detectives’ diary notes obtained by Sky News show officers cased out the Nightcliff home where Ms Gwynne was living with her primary-school aged children after launching an investigation into an employment matter in late 2018.

NT Children's Commissioner Colleen Gwynne’s home was under surveillance in the lead up to her being charged with abuse of office. Picture: Justin Kennedy

The notes show officers doing a drive-past of the home in February 2019.

“At CG house for drive past,” the notes say.

“CB81RD in drive, Suzuki, red, and EC297S boat.”

Police also bugged Ms Gwynne’s office and phone and accessed her bank accounts as part of their three-year investigation into the Children’s Commissioner, who is a former senior NT police officer.

Ms Gwynne was accused of acting inappropriately when she appointed her friend Laura Dewson – also a former NT Police employee – as her assistant commissioner in 2018.

But in March the case was thrown out of the Supreme Court before the defence had presented any evidence.

The detectives’ notes detail the extensive lengths the NT Police special references unit went to as part of its investigation.

Up to four senior detectives worked on the case at any one time. Officers flew to four different states – Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria- to interview witnesses.

The Territory’ Children’s Commissioner Colleen Gwynne gives a statement outside the Supreme Court in Darwin after being found not guilty of one count of abuse of public office.

The notes detail a meeting police held on July 18, 2020 as they prepared to charge Ms Gwynne.

“Discuss need to act sooner rather than later,” the notes say.

“Criticism regardless.

“Thoughts: – public office/profile, entrenched longstanding NT relationships, BRAVOS trial, election, volatile political environment.”

Another detective’s notes show a discussion about whether Ms Gwynne should be arrested or issued a notice to appear.

“Considered election timing, resources, trial Bravos, investigative requirements including access to the phone of Gwynne for WhatsApp evidence on phone apps of conversations (messenger, WhatsApp, FaceTime?).”

Last week Sky News revealed police continued to investigate the case for 18 months after they had obtained a crucial piece of evidence they believed would mean the “whole job is gone”.

The evidence related to advice given to Ms Gwynne by Department of Attorney-General and Justice HR director Brian Mappas and the office of the Solicitor for the Northern Territory, that Ms Gwynne had the legal right to appoint Ms Dewson.

Police have defended their investigation.

“The investigation proceeded as per NTPF investigative procedures,” a police spokeswoman said.

“Prior to the service of the notice to appear, the matter was reviewed by the DPP, there was sufficient evidence available to support the charge and this matter proceeded.”

• Matt Cunningham is the Sky News Darwin Bureau Chief and North Australia Correspondent.