S2 E13: When Police Officers Go Rogue: Independent Legal Profession Under Attack

The Wigs

This episode is devoted to a recent damning report delivered to the NSW Parliament by the NSW Law Enforcement Conduct Commission following a complaint by a criminal defence solicitor in regional NSW that he had been targeted, harassed and intimidated by police officers in Strike Force Raptor - when he was simply doing his job, that is representing a client allegedly involved in an outlaw motorcycle gang.

Strike Force Raptor began 12 years ago in NSW with the purpose of disrupting the illegal activities of outlaw motorcycle gangs by using intensive targeting campaigns on gang members, their family and friends or anyone associated with them.

The investigation by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission, called Operation Monza, found that the actions of the three Police officers from Strike Force Raptor had amounted to serious misconduct.

The Commission held private hearings with witnesses and has prohibited the publication of the names of any of the police officers or the solicitor involved.

The Wigs cannot name any parties involved but the following is a discussion of the findings and the recommendations made and what can be done to better protect the rule of law and an independent legal profession from attack.

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