The Tasmanian Greens welcome the decision to establish an independent investigation into the senior police sergeant Paul Reynolds and child sexual abuse matters. However, we are concerned the scope of the investigation is inadequate, and question whether investigator Regina Weiss will have the powers she needs to examine this issue properly.
For the past week the Greens have been demanding an investigation into the very serious and disturbing circumstances surrounding Paul Reynolds. The community, including many former and current police officers, have demonstrated real outrage and concern about this issue and Tasmania Police’s conduct, including the decision to grant him a police funeral.
It is good news an independent investigation has been announced, but we are troubled to see the inadequate Terms of Reference that have been set by the Commissioner for Police. It also appears the investigation has not been given the power to compel witnesses, order the production of evidence, or refer individuals for prosecution.
This investigation should be empowered to look at this deeply serious issue in full, without being hobbled from the outset.
The Terms of Reference for this investigation must be immediately amended to ensure they cover the following:
Tasmania Police’s decision to award a full honours funeral to Paul Reynolds
Investigation of whether any other complaints about Paul Reynolds were ever made to Tasmania Police (in any form), and the organisation’s response to these complaints
Assessment of the actions of Paul Reynolds to determine if he engaged in misconduct of any kind in relation to matters raised with police
Identification (under the evidence provided) of the extent of Paul Reynolds’ grooming of young people and committing of child sexual abuse – whether in his capacity as a police officer or not
Investigation of the matters raised by the Coroner surrounding the potential for Paul Reynolds to have provided police information to people outside the police force, including in exchange for money.
The investigator must be given the powers needed to compel witnesses, order the production of evidence, and refer individuals for prosecution if findings warrant.
By leaving the police to manage this issue themselves, Police Minister Felix Ellis has failed in his responsibility to act in the spirit of the Commission of Inquiry’s findings. The result is an investigation that has inadequate Terms of Reference and limited powers.
The Police Minister needs to step up and intervene to ensure the investigation can do the job serving police and the community expect. Without a complete scope of investigation and full powers, Tasmania Police’s reputation cannot help but remain tainted with the questions the Commission of Inquiry has raised.
