The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) has today published its final report into Operation Tambre , concerning the conduct of Constable Daniel Keneally (former Premier Christina Keneally’s son) in fabricating evidence with intent to mislead a judicial tribunal.
The report details the failures of the preliminary police internal investigation and former Constable Keneally’s deliberate dishonesty in producing statements that lead to the arrest and imprisonment of Luke Moore, an advocate against police strip searches.
Greens MP and spokesperson for justice Sue Higginson said, “This report paints a damning and callous picture of Constable Keneally, who knew he was lying in his statements and that Luke Moore would face court and jail time, based on those lies,”
“Keneally’s lies led to the wrongful arrest of a consistent advocate against police misconduct and overreach. It is a gross injustice that Moore was falsely sent to prison while Keneally, convicted and his appeal quashed, will avoid jail,”
“The internal police investigation was a failure. Keneally resigned, but only after his failed appeal, and only after the LECC recommended his resignation. Police are routinely found unwilling to hold themselves to account until the courts or the watchdog drag them kicking and screaming,”
“This will no doubt result in yet another successful and extremely costly civil case against the NSW police force, who spent more public money on losing in court last year than the entire operating budget of the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission,”
“The flashing neon question now is how many more LECC reports into failed internal investigations does Premier Minns need before he changes this broken system of police investigating police?”
“The LECC does excellent work, but it is reactive, has limited resources and powers and is routinely obstructed by police, who would sooner drag the LECC through the courts than comply with their requests in investigations. A police force we can trust requires a watchdog with proactive powers and teeth.” Ms Higginson said.