Tasmanian Police boss says she elevated pedophilia complaint against Paul Reynolds in 2008

“I was that divisional inspector.” The woman at the helm of Tasmania Police has identified herself as the officer who elevated claims against pedophile policeman Paul Reynolds 16 years ago.

Tasmania Police Commissioner Donna Adams, centre, with independent reviewer Regina Weiss and Deputy Commissioner Jonathan Higgins. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The woman at the helm of Tasmania Police has publicly identified herself as the officer who elevated claims against pedophile policeman Paul Reynolds some sixteen years ago.

According to a child sexual abuse commission of inquiry report handed down in September last year, an interstate police officer overheard serious allegations in 2008 about Reynolds from two Inspectors during drinks in the Tasmania Police Academy bar.

But after the interstate officer reported the conversation to Tasmania Police Divisional Inspector, the Inspectors in question recanted their words, saying there had been a “misinterpretation of comments”.

Speaking to members of the media on Thursday, Tasmania Police Commissioner Donna Adams identified herself as the divisional inspector in question.

Tasmania Police Commissioner Donna Adams said she was “devastated” to hear the full details of disgraced cop Paul Reynolds. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Her revelation came in the wake of an independent review into Reynolds by former war crimes prosecutor Regina Weiss, which has now been publicly released, and which identified Reynolds groomed at least 52 young boys.

“Now that the matter has been reviewed and the report has been completed today, it’s appropriate for me to say I was that divisional inspector,” Commissioner Adams said.

“I provided the report to (the internal Tasmania Police) Professional Standards back in 2008 based upon the conversation that had been overhead in the bar the previous night. As the reporting person, I had no involvement in the investigation. And sixteen years later, it’s clear that more should have been done.”

Commissioner Adams said she had since provided that information to the commission of inquiry, the 2022 inquest into the suicides of four Tasmania Police officers, including Reynolds, and to Ms Weiss.

“I want my staff to understand and see the role-modelling that it takes. You need to come forward, you need to report. I’m proud of my integrity then, and I’m proud of my integrity now,” she said.

Independent reviewer Regina Weiss said there was a “high chance” Reynolds had more victims who had not come forward. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Commissioner Adams did not provide a direct answer when questioned as to whether she was confident there was not “another Paul Reynolds” currently active within Tasmania Police – but said she was “very confident” with changes to improve oversight within the force.

However, she said it was clear there would be “many more victims” of Reynolds who had not yet come forward.

Ms Weiss said she had worked in sexual and gender-based violence for 20 years, including in war zones, and Reynolds’ offending was the “most prolific grooming I have seen perpetrated by one person, in my career”.

“So there’s a high chance that there are more than 52, and that they are still out there,” she said.

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