REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Friday, June 22, 2007

THE Queensland Police Union launched a series of radio advertisements attacking the State Government over political interference in the death-incustody case involving Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley.

The Gold Coast officer was found not guilty in the Supreme Court of the manslaughter and assault of 36-year-old Cameron Mulrunji Doomadgee at the Palm Island watchhouse in 2004.

Sen-Sgt Hurley, the only police officer to have been charged over a death in custody, declined to comment since being cleared.

He was reinstated and was on leave before he resumed a role at the Gold Coast police headquarters.

The Doomadgee family considered filing a civil suit, under which Sen-Sgt Hurley, the police service or the State Government would be forced to pay restitution or punitive damages.

The police union was concerned the prosecution only went ahead because the Government sought a second opinion on whether to charge Sen-Sgt Hurley over the death.

The officer was transferred to the Gold Coast in the wake of the Palm Island incident.

It followed public outcry after Director of Public Prosecutions Leanne Clare decided not to go ahead with charges, declaring the death a “tragic accident”.

One of the union radio advertisements, compared Queensland to the troubled African nation of Zimbabwe.

“Zimbabwe is a good example of what could happen where politicians override the laws to suit themselves,” said the advertisement.