Vic: Drug squad axed as Vic Police introduce tough new measures

AAP General News (Australia)
12-14-2001
Vic: Drug squad axed as Vic Police introduce tough new measures

By Darrin Barnett

MELBOURNE, Dec 14 AAP - Victoria Police today unveiled a plan which will see the dismantling
of the drug squad, and the formation of a new Major Drugs Investigation Division.

The changes come after a four-month independent review ordered by Chief Commissioner
Christine Nixon to combat allegations of corruption within the drug squad.

The 13 person investigation panel, headed by Detective Superintendent Terry Purton,
made 152 recommendations including psychological evaluations and random drug and alcohol
tests for members and tamper-proof drug storage bags to prevent temptation.

Ms Nixon said that under the plan, drug investigation detectives would now only serve
in the unit for a maximum of five years.

"What we hope they will do is create a corruption-resistant organisation, and will
improve our practices and procedures in the way we deal with drug law enforcement across
the whole of Victoria Police," Ms Nixon said.

"I have to say that the members of the drug squad who have been there are hard-working
and have had outstanding results, and the vast majority of them have had no corruption
associated with them.

"But what we're looking for is to move forward, to have systems and practices in place
that will be able to ensure we are corruption resistant."

All positions in the new division are up for grabs, with a fresh command team to take
control early next year.

New standards for dealing with informers and handling sting operations would also be
introduced, including audit and compliance safety mechanisms for greater accountability.

The shake-up follows allegations including the still unsolved 1996 break-in of the
St Kilda Road drug squad headquarters and the theft of drugs from secure facilities.

There has also been the disappearance and later reappearance of a gun from the drug
squad office and one serving and one former member have been charged with trafficking
drugs.

"When I looked at the 10 year history of allegations around the drug squad, it was
extremely important that we take fair and large steps forward," Ms Nixon said.

Victorian Police Minister Andre Haermeyer said it was important to continue the force's
reputation as the cleanest in Australia.

"We certainly don't have any systemic or endemic problems that afflict the force across
the board, but we have to be very vigilant in ... high risk, high profile areas like the
drug squad," he said.

Since mid-1999, the drug squad has uncovered 67 clandestine laboratories, made 445
arrests, and seized drugs with an estimated value of more than $120 million.

AAP db/clr/ldj/sb

KEYWORD: DRUG PLAN

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