DIFFICULT TO COP

The first in a series of criminal trials has begun for disgraced Senior-Sergeant Chris Hurley. The 47-year-old is no stranger to notoriety or the courtroom. But there comes a time the question must be asked, when is enough enough?

IT was the brutal death of an indigenous man in custody on Palm Island that first thrust Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley’s name into the spotlight and that is where it has stayed.

In June 2007 Sen-Sgt Hurley was acquitted of Cameron Doomadgee’s manslaughter.

His death took place in a locked cell at the Palm Island watch house on the morning of November 19 in 2004.

He was dead just 45 minutes after he was arrested for public nuisance.

The 36-year-old Islander had injuries described in court as consistent with those seen in a traumatic traffic crash victim.

But a jury took less than two hours to find the also, then, 36year-old officer not guilty.

Less than a month after Doomadgee’s death Sen-Sgt Hurley was on the Gold Coast, visiting family and preparing to return to work, on the Glitter Strip.

During the three years he fought the charges against him Sen-Sgt Hurley worked at the coalface of crime on the Coast, often as a duty officer.

Reviews, inquests and appeals followed Sen-Sgt Hurley’s acquittal.

First was an investigation into the compensation money Sen-Sgt Hurley was paid after his home and property were burnt in the Palm Island riots.

Then in 2011 came the documentary The Tall Man that delved into Doomadgee’s death and Sen-Sgt Hurley’s reputation, policing style and standing in the Palm Island community.

Fast forward five years and SenSgt Hurley, a suspended Gold Coast police officer without pay, is facing a string of charges with one matter due to go to trial in the Magistrates Court this week, some relating to his job and some not.

In November 2013 Sen-Sgt Hurley allegedly grabbed a man in a “choke hold” after pulling him over at Robina.

Then in May 2015 Sen-Sgt Hurley allegedly fired his gun twice during a wild police chase at Pacific Pines, after being instructed multiple times to terminate the pursuit.

In May Police Union President Ian Leavers said Sen-Sgt Hurley was under “extreme pressure” and had the full support of the union.

Now the union refuses to comment as the 47-year-old’s court dates begin to loom.

As for Sen-Sgt Hurley’s colleagues on the Gold Coast — they have well and truly had enough. Several police sources told the

Gold Coast Bulletin the ongoing “saga” with Sen-Sgt Hurley was a constant source of frustration.

“It does bring the (other) officers on the Gold Coast down, we all want the matter dealt with quickly, so we can all move on,” one officer said.

Another said it was time for Sen-Sgt Hurley to go.

“This has gone on too long and become too messy,” the officer said.

Sen-Sgt Hurley was initially stood down in May 2015 and then suspended in December.

His appeal to have full pay reinstated was quashed in court in July.

Assistant Commissioner Brian Codd said he could not comment, because allegations against Sen-Sgt Hurley were before the court, but explained the process when an officer was accused of misconduct.

“An officer’s position is not taken lightly, it’s the Assistant Commissioner of the Ethical Standards Command that makes a decision regarding an officer being stood down or suspended,” he said.

“If an officer is stood down they remain working as a police officer, but often in a different role, depending on the allegations.

“But when the allegations are so serious that it is not appropriate for the officer to continue with their police powers, they will be suspended.

“This is not disciplinary action, but more risk management, internal disciplinary action comes after matters are dealt with before the courts.

“After Sen-Sgt Hurley’s matters are dealt with there will be an internal decision on his future with the service.”

Gold Coast Superintendent Craig Hanlon said he could not comment on the allegations facing Sen-Sgt Hurley, but said any alleged assault on a police officer was serious.

“We take a zero tolerance on the assault of any police officer at any time,” he said.

“Anyone who assaults a police officer will be prosecuted.”

Australian Council for Civil Liberties president Terry O’Gorman said the legal process around allegations against Sen-Sgt Hurley was dragging on too long.

“One thing Sen-Sgt Hurley has the right to complain about is how long his matters are taking,” he said.

“It would take a significant toll on him.”

Mr O’Gorman said the policecommissioned Bletchley Report revealed the Queensland Police Commissioner’s desire to have “loss of confidence” powers.

Powers which would allow the Commissioner to dismiss officers from the force before legal process was completed.

The logic behind the special powers is attributed to a longrunning problem of supervision, with the report noting this has been an issue in Queensland since 1997.

If brought in it could greatly change the fate of officers facing serious allegations.

But Mr O’Gorman said the Council of Civil Liberties did not support the push.

“It comes back to the officers in charge not supervising their officers adequately,” he said.

“Whether this is because of laziness, or the senior officer being too weighed down by paperwork, it’s not being done.

“In NSW the Commissioner has the powers to dismiss officers at discretion, but not in Queensland and want to keep it that way.

“We believed police officers should have the same industrial rights as any worker in the state.”

As this article went to print Sen-Sgt Hurley was scheduled to appear in Southport Magistrates Court for a four-day summary trial.

“IT DOES BRING THE (OTHER) OFFICERS ON THE GOLD COAST DOWN