NSW: Police culture not corrupt: Moroney

AAP General News (Australia)
04-17-2006
NSW: Police culture not corrupt: Moroney

SYDNEY, April 17 AAP - Corruption in the NSW police force has diminished in the past
decade, the state's top cop says following new research showing whistleblower officers
are still being victimised.

Confidential research carried out by Urbis Key Young among internal witnesses in the
NSW police force found officers who complained about corruption were harassed by senior
police.

The report, prepared for NSW Police and published today in News Limited newspapers,
shows officers who complain about corruption are being denied promotional opportunities,
transferred against their wishes and given menial jobs.

NSW Police Commissioner Ken Moroney said the culture of corruption within the force
had diminished since the Wood Royal Commission into corruption was held a decade ago.

"The Wood Royal Commission in the mid 1990s was, I think, perhaps the greatest watershed
that we had in our organisation," Mr Moroney told Southern Cross Broadcasting today.

"I truly believe that we are not the same organisation ... that we were, say, a decade
ago but that doesn't allow you any complacency."

In an organisation of 18,500 people there were always going to be people who did the
wrong thing, he said.

"It's important then that we identify those and take appropriate action," Mr Moroney said.

"Whether (officers) are serving or retired, if they have a complaint about the culture
of our organisation or any specific complaint, it's open to them to go to the Police Integrity
Commission, the Ombudsman, their local member of parliament or indeed if they go to the
media, then each and every one of these matters are investigated.

"Equally I think every police officer in NSW knows how to find me on the internal email
system, and clearly when matters are brought to my notice I'll take an active interest
in them and ensure that they're carried through to some finality."

The Wood Royal Commission held from 1994 to 1997 to investigate systemic and entrenched
corruption in the NSW police service sparked widespread reforms, including the establishment
of the Police Integrity Commission.

AAP ajc/tam/jt/nf

KEYWORD: POLICE MORONEY

2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.