Ethical Issues in Policing by Miller Seumas;Blackler John; & John Blackler

Author:Miller, Seumas;Blackler, John; & John Blackler
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Group

Case Studies5

Case Study 4.1 Chook Fowler and "Crotch-Cam"

One can scarcely imagine the effect the videotape, played on June 5th, 1995, at the Royal Commission into New South Wales Police Corruption, had upon 30-year police veteran, Detective Inspector Graham "Chook" Fowler - though we are aware of the devastating effect it was subsequently to have on public confidence in the police. Fowler, who had headed the Kings Cross and the City of Sydney detectives, had been called as a witness, and was being questioned by Queen's Counsel Gary Crooke, assisting the Royal Commissioner Justice James Wood. 25 times, in the course of his examination, Fowler had denied being corrupt. Crooke then asked Fowler to watch the television monitor in front of him, saying, "One thing that I would ask you to consider is that this video is produced effectively for your consideration by the people of New South Wales and by all honest police." As the 22-minute video began showing scenes of Detective Inspector Fowler allegedly talking openly about protection rackets, he began to fidget and frown in the witness box. The video allegedly showed Fowler exchanging money with policeman Trevor Haken, who had been working undercover with the Commission for nine months.6

Filmed by a mini-video camera hidden under the dashboard in Haken's car, and later released to the media, excerpts were run on TV news broadcasts, establishing corruption as endemic amongst the state's detectives. The NSW Police Service suspended Fowler from duty that day. Detective Sergeant Trevor David Haken, who also appeared on the videotape, gave evidence before the Royal Commission against corrupt fellow officers and criminals. Haken's evidence was the touchstone, the critical turning point in the Commission's investigations, and revealed he had been a corrupt officer who had been "turned". Of the beginnings of his involvement with the Royal Commission, Haken's wife said, "There was nothing unusual about the two plain-clothes police officers who came to the door that Saturday morning, August 20th, 1994. They said they had a summons for him [Haken], so I got him and they went out the front... He came in and said he had to go to court. I've never seen anyone look so grey."

Haken had finally been caught out. The NSW Crime Commission had enough evidence to put him in jail for years ... Shortly afterwards the Crime Commission evidence was handed over to the recently formed Police Royal Commission.7

The Herald subsequently learned that it was the State Crime Commission which held the key which the Royal Commission used to unlock the door to police corruption. The Crime Commission handed over material about Trevor Haken which apparently allowed the Royal Commission to force him to "roll over" and become a "supergrass" for the State.8

Perhaps it was professional pride after being exposed as a fraud, but Haken took to the role of undercover investigator with relish, taking ever-greater risks and gathering valuable information for the Royal Commission.9

The existence of 80 taped conversations such as those involving Fowler was revealed; Haken indicated he had collected and distributed $AU26,180 in bribes during this period.

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