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DURING a week in which the shocking confessions of a corrupt policeman rocked the NSW Police Service, Commissioner Ken Moroney has been forced to visit the man's demoralised former colleagues after they were vilified during a public backlash. In a bid to raise the officers' shattered morale, Mr Moroney visited former detective sergeant Chris Laycock's home station of Burwood, telling officers to hold their heads high. Shockwaves have resounded throughout the ranks since Laycock began purging himself before the Police Integrity Commission nine days ago, but the effects of his stunning admissions have been felt most keenly at Burwood, in Sydney's inner west. Following admissions of criminal misconduct at the PIC over the past week, it has been revealed that Laycock's colleagues have been targeted in a slur campaign. Burwood station has received anonymous phone calls accusing everyone employed there of being crooked. Some of his workmates have also been abused by locals screaming taunts from passing cars and sworn at in the street. During his visit, Mr Moroney urged his upset officers to hold their heads high in the face of the public backlash over the latest corruption scandal. Laycock, a 33-year-old father of four, has admitted extorting money from a child-pornography suspect, using fake search warrants to obtain thousands of dollars in bribes and pretending to fix a jury in a drug trial. He has also been accused of collecting $10,000 from a person of interest in a murder case in return for helping throw investigators off his scent, and discussing a plot to kidnap a family. Although the accusations were appalling, it was unreasonable that Laycock's fellow officers were being tainted with a "wide-sweeping brush", Mr Moroney said. He told the Burwood officers they had his full backing. "The purpose of my visit was to assure these officers of my continuing support," he said after the 90-minute gathering. "I have no less confidence in them and no less confidence in their commander, Superintendent Catherine Burn, I also urge the community here in Burwood to support these officers during this difficult time." Mr Moroney said it was deeply regrettable that the allegations against laycock could have such a negative impact on young police simply trying ro do their jobs with honour and integrity. "I am mindful that evidence is still being presented to the PC. but I would hope the community would not Judge every person in a profession by the actions of one or two people," he said. However, it was something that had happened to police before at Kings Cross during the Wood royal commission, at Manly during the PICs Operation Florida corruption hearings in 2001 and at Cabramatta a year earlier. It would probably happen again, Mr Moroney conceded. Laycock, the son of recently retired assistant commissioner John Laycock, has been suspended without pay. He also faces almost certain dismissal under the commissioner's confidence provisions at the conclusion of the PIC's hearings. During the hearings, Laycock's father has sat in the gallery by his son's side as evidence of the younger Laycock's corrupt behaviour was aired. Meanwhile, the NSW Department of Public Prosecutions and the PiC will both review the outcomes of police investigations in which Chris Laycock has been involved. The Sun Herald (17-10-2004) John Kidman |
Watkins Accuses Brogden Of Blunder On Child Porn (16-10-2004)
Cases To Be Reviewed- Corrupt Cop Taints Investigation (15-10-2004)
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