25th August 2013
I know I haven't spoken for about 6 weeks as I have been busy going through all the evidence, transcripts and findings of Jason's coronial inquest. I am also still awaiting the physical evidence that we have requested and yet to receive from the Qld State Coroner's Office. I would also like to state that I had wanted to wait until I had received all of the available evidence so that I could look at possibly proceeding with a private indictment of Thomas Hess for the killing of my son Jason as the Coroner Mr Michael Barnes did not see fit to submit the facts to the DPP for a public prosecution. In my opinion he was prepared to ignore the findings of his own right hand man (Peter Johns - Senior Counsel acting for the Coroner) which stated that very little weight should be placed on the testimony of Troy Weston (The partner of Thomas Hess who was one of only three people including Hess and an eyewitness by the name of Krystal Sinn who directly witnessed the death of my son). In my opinion Peter Johns also stated that Krystal Sinn was a credible witness as in his submissions he stated that there was no basis on which you would comfortably find or find at all that Krystal Sinn lied.
I have decided to speak today because during the week a horrific event occurred where two people were allegedly murdered and a man was allegedly shot dead by police. Firstly I would like to offer to the families involved our sincere condolences and I apologise for having to mention their loss on the same page as our update, however, whilst viewing the news footage our son's mug shot was again displayed on the news. Queensland Police Union President Ian Leavers shot off his big mouth once again with his unconscionable remarks stating how the police had no other option, things unfolded very quickly. Once again he was not there and therefore has no right to comment on this case to the media. Mr Leavers made similar comments when Jason was killed and these issues were raised during Jason’s inquest. Mr Leavers on the stand said he had learnt from Jason's death and had changed his ways
and yet here he is basically doing the same thing once again. He needs to be
held accountable, he may use the same excuse he used at my son’s hearing that
silence is deadly but I believe his words are even more deadly.
I am still waiting to hear back from the complaint I lodged with the CMC last year in relation to the actions of Mr Ian Leavers in Jason's case and today I have sent yet another letter which is posted on this site. This man needs to stop tainting evidence and be held accountable for what these remarks are doing to not just the families of the victims but also to the officers of the Qld Police Service as a whole.
As a father my resolve to find the truth has been tested and retested and retested again. My resolve to find the truth as to why Thomas Hess shot my son dead will not be broken whilst I have breath in my body.
On an update I can inform you now that Inspector Mark Reid from the Ethical Standards Unit who was the Lead investigator into the death of my son Jason, after a lengthy investigation instigated by myself no longer is with the Ethical Standards Unit. After being investigated by the CMC the complaint has now been handed back to the Qld Police Service for further investigation. This is one small step into tightening the noose around the Police investigation into my son's death.
In closing, I believe State Coroner Mr Michael Barnes spoke ignorant and bias dribble in his findings which I had dubbed the book of lies. If that wasn't enough 5 days after his findings he gagged us from publishing the real evidence of the case. I am currently questioning the gag order which I believe is not legal as the Coroners act states that any gag order must be placed immediately, not 5 days after the case has been closed by the Coroner. I believe this act was a direct act to stop the public from hearing the truth and making their own logical conclusions. Their are only 3 people who were present and know what happened on this fateful day. In order to find peace within ourselves I challenge those three people (Police Officers Thomas Hess & Troy Weston and Eye witness Krystal Sinn) to an independent polygraph (Lie detector test) so that this family can have some form of closure. I ask that the media keep a constant vigil on this site as if this gag order is not lifted then I will test this gag order by openly placing every piece of evidence on this site. I also ask that if you read this blog site share it with your friends and make comments if you wish to.
Steve Protheroe - Jason's Father
Just one thing Steve, with the devolution policy CMC sends everything about QPS straight back to QPS to investigate. It could go back to the very person you are complaining about, another person will sign it. In fact one complaint we received the reply was on QPS letter head. Also, if you are complaining about an Inspector or Acting Assistant Commissioner could you imagine a Sergeant finding fault and still being employed by the QPS?
ReplyDeleteMarch 2011 after consultation with the Chair of the CMC and the Police Commissioner Atkinson, Premier Bligh appointed an Independent Panel to hold a Review of the Queensland Police Complaints Discipline and Misconduct System. Submissions were received from the public, police union and Qld Police Commissioned Officers Union. August 2011 the Review made 57 recommendations of which the government and QPS accepted 56, I think from memory. The main one being that police should not investigate police. These changes were supposed to be instigated within 2 years. I have read that both Atkinson and Stewart are of the opinion that police can investigate police, hence the review and tax payers money was a complete waste. Police still investigate police. Hence they can untruthfully stitch an officer up if it is desired by a commissioned officer. The unsuspecting officer is denied natural justice and all benefit of the doubt as the investigators lie and make untested, undocumented statements to prove he did what he did not and send him to the Deputy, who conveniently makes the decision the investigators recommended. Other serving police officers tell me 'this is the only way QPS can remove an officer they don't want to work with' They lie to forcibly transfer that officer, he can go anywhere else, but that particular section, regardless of how good the officer was, or how many PPA's he had. What I find really hard to fathom is that Ian Leavers only nominally supported this officer. The Union paid $22,000 after 14 years of union fees. For all I know Leavers could have done a deal with the solicitor. I observed the officer who assaulted the 65yr man in the mall July 9 2006. He had Leavers unconditional support. Except for the CCTV footage the 5 officers kneeing this man on the ground would have got off scot free. In fact the officer is still appealing the poultry fine, and the QPS have again supposedly 'given managerial guidance'. The 65yr man had Queensland's first successful private prosecution. Another case, the union supported the Airlie Beach cop and QPS paid out at least a six figure compensation payment to 3 people. The Hurley case is another case where the Union paid the costs for Hurley, appealing it 2 or 3 times. The government reimbursed the union the near million dollars for costs. The chef is another case, where C Atkinson ignored the report until the CCTV footage was released, then the only concern was 'who released the video'? Not who did it! That officer has been supported by the union. The lead foot cop is another. 200 kls over the recommended speed on an unauthorised chase. Same officer was involved in a fatality 2 years earlier, and only last week fell asleep while being paid for wide load escort work. But guess what, Ian Leavers supported him, makes excuses, again. But I know of at least 6 officers who were bullied and forcibly transferred, denied union support. That's my beef, it's not equality of support. Google.(/news/police-union-boss-ian-leavers-failed-to-report-sex-and-stripper-scandal-in-cop-car/story-e6freon6-1225864749071)
When Ian Leavers knew the above was known he replied 'he'd made a mistake and had learnt from it' Leavers was rewarded for his support to the LNP gov with a position on the work cover board. Leavers made comments on what was the problem with mental health issues. Enquiry into mental health, will Leavers grand stand again? I dare say his opinion was considered in yet another review into police due to be known by March 2013. But we have requested interviews with the Premier Attorney General and Police Minister and explained our concerns since the LNP won government. Our experiences of the dishonest internal system does not matter. They managed to cover their trail all the way to QCAT, so that now legal jargon can be used to dismiss the dishonesty. You'll notice the statements by neighbours to justify the actions of police in the Coolum case. To prejudice public opinion immediately. It's all about public image of the corporate QPS. Truth has no place. Shoot first! dead men don't talk. Stitched up officers can't talk unless they have the resources of the government, the million dollars to fight the case. Ian Leavers has no concern for the stress the investigative system places on an officer, especially when targeted. The judiciary have political affiliations. I believe the courts, judiciary, government and police are all play acting, doing deals, the only ones to benefit are them and their wealth status. We need a royal commission into the QPS and judiciary, but when the gov only uses it to pull the wool over the average man's eyes it is a waste of money. Qld is now back to pre Fitzgerald days, not brown paper bags, but dishonesty, incompetence, deals and cover-up.
ReplyDeleteThere is no chance of improvement when dishonesty and cover-up is accepted. How many times have you read of x no of shots fired and only y accounted for? The mountains of policy and procedure are used to bring an officer down only if they want to. Ethical standards protects the police against the public. The same ethical standards destroys a career when an officer speaks out about corruption within the service. Managerial guidance is corrupt. One punch can kill is just PR sound good. An officer can land a punch that knocks the other to the ground, and the officer who was punched is targeted when he complains, the officer who punched is promoted. An officer can threaten to kill another officer & dog with service firearm, that officer is rewarded with the transfer he wanted and the officer threatened is investigated. A Minister of this LNP government publicly supported the officer who threatened to kill the other, due to the gov minister's family friendship. Officers can report another for talk of drug use and naked on duty, the officers who report the incident are never interviewed or informed of an investigation. On later making an enquiry they are informed 'managerial guidance' When this gov was in opposition Dempsey complained about the devolution policy. Now he won't hear anything. Complaints made by many Ministers while in opposition are not the same concern when they are in government. Why were you gagged? Is that normal procedure? The pockets of the shorts pulled out? The neighbours testimony appears to have not been considered. The dog that was bleeding and removed? Public should trust they will be told the truth. Governments lie, Gov Ministers lie, Police lie? Where are we going? Why was the only independent witness removed so quickly?? You could pray for a miracle that the QPS and the Union tell the truth?
ReplyDeleteJust found, The Australian,16/3/11.Inexcusable failure of Justice. "After a protracted saga of flawed police investigations, obstruction and two coronial inquiries, CMC commissioner Martin Moynihan QC is prevented from taking the matter any further." because "Queensland police have rejected the CMC's recommendations for disciplinary action against six police officers"....decision by K Rynders..officers face only managerial guidance not disciplinary action....raises serious questions about whether Queensland police are any more publicly accountable now than 20 yrs ago when Tony Fitzgerald uncovered the corruption of former police commissioner Terry Lewis's regime...."the self-protecting culture in which the botched investigations took place"
ReplyDelete"All of which underlines the futility of devolving responsibility for investigating police performance and possible corruption to police themselves rather than properly funding an independent watchdog to do the job without fear or favour" "family had the right to expect death would have been investigated rigorously, impartially and thoroughly. Instead, they have good reason to be angry that justice has not been done."
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/inexcusable-failure-of-justice/story-e6frg71...