A parliamentary inquiry is currently examining how effectively Tasmania Police are responding to allegations of officer misconduct.
During a hearing held today, representatives from organizations focused on family and sexual violence shared their concerns, advocating for the establishment of an independent body to handle investigations into misconduct claims.
The inquiry is set to resume next week.
Witnesses at the Tasmanian parliamentary inquiry have raised serious issues regarding a “blue code of silence” that reportedly discourages individuals from reporting sexual violence committed by police officers. This inquiry is specifically focused on the responses of Tasmania Police to allegations of misconduct by their officers.
Elise Whitmore, a policy officer at Laurel House, which provides support for sexual assault victims, expressed that survivors are apprehensive about the close-knit relationships among police officers, both within and outside their professional roles. She stated, “Victims fear they won’t be believed and are also worried about possible retaliation from officers regarding other aspects of their lives.”
Kaity Graham, the advocacy manager at Laurel House, noted a perceived culture within the police force that fosters protection among officers, which she described as a “blue code of silence.” She emphasized that when an officer is the alleged perpetrator, it is crucial to consider the power dynamics, relationships, and conflicts of interest that may undermine a victim’s willingness to report.
Bree Klerck, CEO of the Tasmanian Family and Sexual Violence Alliance (TFSVA), concurred with these sentiments. She pointed out the challenges faced in a tightly connected community like Tasmania, where it becomes problematic for the police to investigate serious allegations involving their own members.
If you or someone you know requires assistance, please reach out to:
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Concerns regarding domestic and family violence were also highlighted during the inquiry. Several speakers discussed the lasting effects of the actions of Paul Reynolds, a former police officer who was facing serious child sexual abuse allegations before taking his own life in 2018. Despite the allegations against him, he was given a full police funeral with honors in Launceston.
Nicole Asquith, a policy and research officer at TFSVA, remarked that the subsequent Weiss Report, which focused on sexual violence, overlooked family violence—an issue she described as a significant concern, noting that at least 40 percent of police officers in various Western jurisdictions are known to have engaged in family violence.
Alina Thomas, CEO of the family violence organization Engender Equality, revealed that Tasmania Police had requested the organization to prioritize counseling services for victims connected to police officers. “While we do receive cases involving survivors who have been involved with police, we do not get referrals from them, despite a prior agreement to prioritize these individuals,” she stated.
Advocates are calling for a system that allows for independent reporting of misconduct that does not involve Tasmania Police. Asquith emphasized the urgency for such a mechanism, stating, “An independent body is essential to oversee and investigate violations of the code of conduct and the police manual, as well as the criminal code.” She suggested that this oversight might need to be handled by a federal agency.
Additionally, Laurel House has proposed eliminating the current six-month time limit for reporting police misconduct. Whitmore highlighted that none of the individuals she interviewed were able to make a report within that timeframe, which poses a barrier to accountability.
Asquith acknowledged Tasmania Police’s willingness to accept constructive criticism, noting, “Having worked with various police forces over three decades, I find Tasmania Police to be among the most responsive to feedback and capable of enacting change promptly due to its smaller size.”
In their submission to the inquiry, Tasmania Police expressed support for effective and independent oversight regarding serious instances of misconduct. They acknowledged, “Public trust in policing is contingent not only upon individual officers’ integrity but also on the existence of robust systems to detect, report, investigate, and address misconduct adequately, while promoting organizational learning.” They also recognized the significant impact the Paul Reynolds case has had on victims, the community, and the police organization.
For support, individuals can contact:
1800 Respect National Helpline
Men’s Referral Service (24-hour crisis line)
Relationships Australia
NSW Domestic Violence Line
Queensland DV Connect Women’s Line
Victoria Safe Steps Crisis Response Line
ACT 24/7 Crisis Line
Tasmanian Family Violence Counseling and Support Service
South Australia Domestic Violence Crisis Line
WA Women’s Domestic Violence 24-hour Helpline
NT Domestic Violence Helpline
