28th September 2021
Why do we have a Police Force? So that by and large we can live together as a community in peace and harmony. Police Forces have no intrinsic merit of their own. They exist solely for the service they can provide to the community.
In providing that service we could reasonably expect high ethical standards, transparency and accountability. Are we seeing that with the Victoria Police?
The Lawyer X scandal dates back years and the Victoria Police fought tooth and nail, at the cost of millions of dollars, to keep Nicola Gobbo’s name from public disclosure. VicPol took the case all the way to the High Court, which found in December 2018 that Victoria Police’s conduct in using Gobbo as a confidential informer was “reprehensible” and had corrupted prosecutions.
The outcome of this sorry saga is yet to be played out. Some of the police involved could end up in jail.
Following this debacle, one could expect that the lessons have been learned. But have they? It appears not.
There is currently a case pending before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) where leave is being sought to call as witnesses four members of VicPol who were engaged in the first police investigation of the ICook Foods scandal. An investigation that has been moved several times for reasons that have never been disclosed. No transparency here, even when questions have been asked as to why the case was moved.
Who made the decisions to keep moving the case? Why? Who is accountable for these decisions? Certainly no one at ICooks has been given any idea. Victims of alleged corruption were ignored. No accountability here.
One could expect that if there is nothing to hide then VicPol would be more than willing to accede to the request to call these police at the VCAT hearing. Such is not the case. VicPol is again taking every step possible to thwart the appearance of these three at VCAT. Why?
There is an old legal adage, “Innocence demands the right to speak. Guilt invokes the right to silence.”
A public body like VicPol should honour the “Model Litigant Rules” that apply to all Government Departments. Why not in this case?
Ethical conduct, transparency and accountability must be embraced if we are to have faith in the integrity of the Victoria Police.
I agree I have had criminal and civil cases against me dropped after 18 months of reprehensible pushback from vicpol and only when pushed to give up all disclosure and actually produce evidence they folded. 18 months of heartache for what. I’m an ex member which makes it worse. simply they had all the money and resources to run me around and held accountable they had nothing
Right on – Vicpol also regularly and deliberately misinterprets letters and provides answers (if any) based on those false interpretations. A bit like a Dan press conference.
The Victorian Police have a long and sordid history when it comes to intimidation, suppressing and creating evidence and cover ups. I grew up in Mildura and saw first hand the coverups and crimes involving the police protection surrounding the catholic church and pedophelia.
And am well aware of the police crackdown of police when taking over the illicit drugs distribution up and down the East Coast! Also observed to police protection drug dealers in Perth between 2007 and 2010.
But what we are seeing in Melbourne and Sydney at present is almost beyond comprehension. The political system judiciary and constabulary are compromised beyond repair!
However. There is a saying: THE FISH ROTS FROM THE HEAD DOWN.
WE MUST OVERTHROW THE GOVERNMENT LEGALLY IF POSSIBLE OR BY FORCE IF NECESSARY
Weak Dogs
We do have bill of rights it is in our constitution and it better than the Bill of Rights it is just that it is not called a Bill of Rights. It is just the government does not doing what is right.
I will tell you more if you want me to.
At current time there is no credibility transparency or accountability with vicpol. There actions with icook foods and there recent actions in dealing with protests are. Totally reprehensible and reminiscent of a communist police state where they are a law unto themselves
VicPol a power unto themselves. Criminals dressed as hero’s.
Even though one must expect breaches by authorities I am shocked by the ready almost zealous and arrogant lies and criminal behavior of Police and other Government authorities who must be held to a higher standard than most. The Police have demonstrated a zeal and joy at attacking average citizens often subverting the truth with media nonsense that protestors are rioters or even neo nazis !. Police management has become disgustingly political and are misdirecting staff on a routine basis. They must resign from Fuller down. Other people holding important ethical offices such as health inspectors are now planting evidence. M<y God this has spiraled out of control with all of them hiding in the murky bowels of Government red tape and bureaucracy It is disgusting
ALL VicPol members should be held accountable for their actions and be forced to step down at the end of this turmoil. Even, though some will argue that they had just been following orders; even if this is the case, it does not excuse them for their actions against unarmed civilisation. Each one of us is responsible for our own actions.
In the Nuremberg trials, those who actively participated in crimes against humanities were also found guilty. Therefore, VicPol is not exempt from being charged with such crimes.
However, another concern I do have is the foreign military and police who are attacking Australian Citizens. These people need to be escorted out of our country by our military and should also be charged with such crimes…even though our Federal Government has granted them full immunity against any criminal charges that they may face in Australia. This is just disgusting!!
The thin blue line is threadbare at the moment