Board of Inquiry report statement
***The below statement is attributable to ACT Chief Police Officer, Neil Gaughan***
ACT Policing welcomes the release of the Board of Inquiry report and interim ACT Government response.
I received the final report on Friday evening. Our officers, who participated in the inquiry, were provided a copy of the report yesterday (Monday, 7 August 2023).
We are committed to ongoing reform which improves the way police operate and conduct criminal investigations. It is also essential we continue to strengthen our positive working relationships with ACT’s criminal justice agencies.
A guide to support how officers apply the threshold to charge a person with a criminal offence was being developed before the Board of Inquiry proceedings. We will finalise this guide in partnership with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
We have increased staffing for the Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Team and this year, we have enhanced training for officers conducting sexual violence related investigations. This training was developed with leading experts across forensics, psychology and criminology. Our focus is to strengthen our trauma-centric, victim-informed specialist approach to better support complainants.
Every investigation presents individual challenges and sexual assault investigations can be complex. This investigation was no exception.
I am pleased Chair Walter Sofronoff KC has recognised the professionalism and dedication of all ACT Policing officers involved in this investigation, particularly that they “performed their duties in absolute good faith, with great determination although faced with obstacles and put together a sound case”.
We all swear an oath in this job, it’s our promise to the community. I know, at every stage, our officers were wholly focused on comprehensively investigating this matter.
Looking forward, I do not want the impact of this report to result in people not willing to come forward to police to report sexual assaults.
I want the ACT community to know – you will be listened to, you will be treated with respect and you will be supported. Every complainant’s concerns, needs and well-being will continue to be central focus in any police process or subsequent criminal justice proceeding.
I, along with every police officer, appreciate how the community conversation across Australia about sexual assault in recent years has been helpful to reflect cultural and societal changes. We’ve all seen how it has driven reform across all criminal justice agencies and this work remains ongoing.
While the Board of Inquiry has been underway, we have been getting on with business. ACT Policing has continued to work professionally with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Victims Support ACT and all our other partners, across all crime types.
We will continue to work with the ACT Government to contribute to the complete Government response, and following this, to implement the recommendations.
I finally want to acknowledge the impact of the Board of Inquiry process, and ongoing public discussion, has had on all people involved.
Few professions carry the responsibility of policing and it’s a responsibility we take very seriously. Our police officers come to work each and every day seeking to support the community and make Canberra as safe as possible.
Everyone involved in this matter from 2019 worked diligently and compassionately – and there have been many outcomes that no-one could imagine. We will continue to provide appropriate support and guidance to all those involved today, and in the weeks and months ahead.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
POLICE MEDIA — (02) 5126 9070, act-police-media@afp.gov.au