NSW sex pest cops targeted in major probe

Serial sexual offenders within the NSW Police Force will be the focus of an independent review of the organisation’s culture after a series of reports outlined how a “boys’ club” protected abusers and silenced victims.

Officers have faced the Industrial Relations Commission for texting each other rape jokes and ranking the sexual appeal of their female colleagues; a sergeant found guilty of sexual touching after reaching under a colleague’s shirt and grabbing her breast at a pub argued she “consented” because they had engaged in friendly banter; while numerous officers have quit after their complaints about bullying and harassment went ignored.

Former Victorian equal opportunity human rights commissioner Kristen Hilton will conduct the review of police workforce culture.Credit: Wayne Taylor

The review, announced by Commissioner Karen Webb in October last year, is now under way and headed by former Victorian equal opportunity and human rights commissioner Kristen Hilton.

“[Research shows] in organisations which have tended to be quite hierarchical and have had a large number of men in senior leadership positions, there have been historically high levels of sexual harassment,” Hilton told this masthead.

The Herald can reveal that the review won’t pursue individual allegations, and it will be guided by legislation around reporting and referring incidents. Those who wish their reports to remain anonymous will be able to do so with protections in place to ensure confidentiality.

Hilton hopes about 15 per cent of the police force’s 20,000-strong workforce to participate, with interviews scheduled for May and June. Internal policies and procedures will also be reviewed.

Karen Webb says the review has been a goal of hers since her appointment as commissioner.Credit: Rhett Wyman

“Part of the impetus of this review is understanding the impacts the changes that have already been made have had and what needs to be done differently,” she said.

“[To] invite independent people in to look under the bonnet is quite courageous.”

The 12-month review will be open to sworn officers and unsworn employees, including those who have left the workforce within the past five years.

The review’s findings, recommendations and executive summary will be made public, with the first reports due at the end of the year.

It follows a 2020 Law Enforcement Conduct Commission report which found an “entrenched culture of misbehaviour, including sexual harassment, led by senior officers and emulated by junior staff” at one police command, and a 2019 review into the police promotions system by then-sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick which outlined a “boys’ club” culture.

Webb said the review has been a goal of hers since her appointment. “It was time,” she said.

Head of People and Culture Assistant Commissioner Brett Greentree said an independent review would allow police to “truly see what people are saying and thinking” outside the internal feedback mechanisms.

Assistant Commissioner Brett Greentree and Deputy Commissioner Dean Smith said the review would allow a stocktake of the force’s culture.Credit: Louise Kennerley

“It is difficult at times because we have a hierarchical system. I do think people struggle at times with senior officers in terms of what they provide,” he said.

Deputy Commissioner and head of corporate services Dean Smith said it was time for a “stocktake” on culture.

“How do we reset to make sure that the NSW Police Force is a workforce that people want to come and work in,” he said.

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