Pubdate: Fri, 14 Dec 2001
Source: Age, The (Australia)
Copyright: 2001 The Age Company Ltd
Contact:  http://www.theage.com.au/
Forum: http://forums.f2.com.au/login/login.asp?board=TheAge-Talkback
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5
Author: Darrin Barnett
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/corrupt.htm (Corruption)

DRUG SQUAD AXED AS VIC POLICE INTRODUCE TOUGH NEW MEASURES

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.
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