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Summary: Calls For Inquiry Into N.s.w. Police Force (Press, 18 August 1966)
On 17 August 1966, a significant court ruling in Sydney highlighted severe concerns regarding the New South Wales Police Force. Judge Goran, presiding over the appeal of 18-year-old Michael Clifford Cathels, found that a police constable had committed perjury during the hearing of an indecency charge against Cathels. The judge characterised the constable's testimony as a "patent lie," revealing that the officer's true intention in visiting a public lavatory was not merely to urinate but rather to act as a "decoy and provocateur" targeting individuals potentially engaging in homosexual activities. This judgement bolstered ongoing calls for an independent public inquiry into police methods, following a series of troubling incidents that have eroded public trust in law enforcement. Judge Goran expressed dismay over the actions of police officers, stating, “I think it a shocking thing that when a man’s liberty is at stake, a police officer should call upon his Maker to witness that he is about to tell the truth and then lie.” His comments formed part of a broader wave of dissatisfaction with the police, particularly in light of another recent case involving William Leonard Stinvics, which the Court of Appeal deemed a miscarriage of justice. In the Stinvics case, questions were raised about the credibility of the police’s evidence, with the judges noting the bizarre circumstances of the arrest, which involved multiple officers and an unequal physical struggle. Premier R. Askin assured that Stinvics would not be denied justice regardless of the implications for government officials. Further intensifying the scrutiny of the police force, the media and the public are calling for a comprehensive inquiry, even suggesting a Royal Commission, due to disturbing incidents involving alleged police misconduct. Notable cases include an acquittal based on a medical assessment that indicated a young man could not have made certain statements due to a severe speech defect, and the wrongful convictions of two men for murder due to procedural breaches during police interrogations. In light of Judge Goran’s ruling, Constable Brian Cedric Rowland was suspended from duty and pay pending an internal inquiry. The Commissioner of Police, Mr N. T. W. Allan, indicated that following the departmental review, a decision would be made regarding potential charges of false swearing or perjury against Rowland. Public sentiment regarding the police force has reached a crisis point, with calls for reform underscored by a recent editorial from the Sydney “Sunday Telegraph,” which argued for immediate action, claiming that a police force lacking public confidence is detrimental to the community, the rule of law, and the police themselves. The unfolding events continue to shine a light on systemic issues within the New South Wales Police Force, prompting demands for accountability and transparency in law enforcement practices.
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