IBAC held public examinations from 4 February to 1 March 2019 into alleged serious misconduct involving Victoria Police officers in relation to certain aspects of the investigation into the murders of Sergeant Gary Silk and Senior Constable Rodney Miller.

In November 2017, IBAC commenced an inquiry into police conduct in the Victoria Police investigation of the murders of Sergeant Gary Silk and Senior Constable Rodney Miller in 1998, following the receipt of new information. The investigation, known as Operation Gloucester progressed to public examinations.

The hearings were open to the public.

 

Public examinations

The examinations focused on:

  • the Lorimer task force investigation of the murders of Sergeant Gary Silk and Senior Constable Rodney Miller, concerning:
    1. the taking of witness statements
    2. the preparation of the brief of evidence for the trial of Bandali Debs and Jason Roberts (the trial)
    3. whether there was full disclosure of witness statements or other relevant information prior to or during the trial
  • witness statement taking practices by Victoria Police
  • compliance with the obligation to disclose evidence by Victoria Police.

IBAC Commissioner, The Honourable Robert Redlich QC presided at the examinations. Counsel assisting was Mr Jack Rush QC with Ms Catherine Boston of the Victorian Bar.

  • Improper statement-taking practices by Victoria Police identified during the hearings:

    • Omitting a witness’ description of an offender.
    • Omitting information which is contradicted by other evidence or is
      otherwise perceived by police to be unreliable.
    • Speaking to witnesses to ‘fix up inconsistencies’ in the evidence,
      and not disclosing that intervention.
    • Taking a replacement statement instead of a supplementary one.
    • Signing a back-dated statement.
    • Signing an acknowledgement in the absence of the statement
      maker.
    • Making supposed ‘contemporaneous’ notes well after the fact.
    • Failing to disclose information which may assist the defence.
  • Day 1, 4 February 2019

    • Ronald William Iddles
    • Peter John Abbey
    • Bruce Ian McKenzie

     

    Day 2, 5 February 2019

    • Charlie Bezzina
    • Glenn Andrew Pullin

     

    Day 3, 6 February 2019

    • Francis Leo Adams
    • Helen Marie Poke

     

    Day 4, 7 February 2019

    • Marita Altman
    • Ian Hill QC
    • Matthew Stewart Anderson
    • Grant Douglas Langmaid

     

    Day 5, 11 February 2019

    • Graham Kenneth Riley
    • Christopher Robert Grigg
    • David Sperry Pratt
    • Neville Craig Peterson

     

    Day 6, 12 February 2019

    • Guiseppe D’Alo
    • Mark Charles Kennedy
    • Stephen Charles Beanland
    • Paul Raymond Murnane

     

    Day 7, 13 February 2019

    • Mark Andrew Butterworth
    • Julia Claire Doyle
    • Scott Geoffrey Leach

     

    Day 8, 14 February 2019

    • Kim Michelle Voulanas
    • Jeremy Rapke QC

     

    Day 9, 20 February 2019

    • Rosemary Elizabeth Eden
    • Allan John Birch
    • Paul James Edwards

     

    Day 10, 21 February 2019

    • Graeme Collins

     

    Day 11, 22 February 2019

    • George Patrick Buchhorn

     

    Day 12, 25 February 2019

    • George Patrick Buchhorn (continuing)
    • Paul Anthony Sheridan

     

    Day 13, 26 February 2019

    • Paul Anthony Sheridan (continuing)
    • Graeme Collins (continuing)
    • Ian Michael Dunn
    • Janine Valerie Gleeson

     

    Day 14, 27 February 2019

    • Kevin Casey
    • Trevor Rowe
    • IBAC Operation Gloucester day 1 transcript - 4 February 2019
    • IBAC Operation Gloucester day 2 transcript - 5 February 2019
    • IBAC Operation Gloucester day 3 transcript - 6 February 2019
    • IBAC Operation Gloucester day 4 transcript - 7 February 2019
    • IBAC Operation Gloucester day 5 transcript - 11 February 2019 
    • IBAC Operation Gloucester day 6 transcript - 12 February 2019
    • IBAC Operation Gloucester day 7 transcript - 13 February 2019
    • IBAC Operation Gloucester day 8 transcript - 14 February 2019
    • IBAC Operation Gloucester day 9 transcript - 20 February 2019
    • IBAC Operation Gloucester day 10 transcript - 21 February 2019
    • IBAC Operation Gloucester day 11 transcript - 22 February 2019
    • IBAC Operation Gloucester day 12 transcript (morning) - 25 February 2019
    • IBAC Operation Gloucester day 12 transcript (afternoon) - 25 February 2019
    • IBAC Operation Gloucester day 13 transcript (morning) - 26 February 2019
    • IBAC Operation Gloucester day 13 transcript (afternoon) - 26 February 2019
    • IBAC Operation Gloucester day 14 transcript - 27 February 2019
    • IBAC Operation Gloucester day 15 transcript - 28 February 2019
    • IBAC Operation Gloucester day 16 transcript - 1 March 2019
  • IBAC recognises our investigations and public hearings can place people under pressure. Supporting the welfare of people involved and subject to examination is a responsibility IBAC takes seriously.

    For the Operation Gloucester public hearings we provided witnesses with access to counselling services from the time their summons were served. When the hearings were in session, a professional counsellor and a private room was available. Witnesses were also able to bring a support person with them to the hearings.

  • Media contact: 0427 480 840 or media@ibac.vic.gov.au