Back in 2004, Mulrunji Doomadgee was died after being beaten by Australian Police on Palm Island. After heavy pressure from police (including a threat to strike if charges were laid), the alleged killer was acquitted at trial. And now, a group of police officers who helped cover up the crime, and who obstructed the investigation and lied at the coronial inquest to help out their mate will not face disciplinary proceedings:
The failure of police to conduct a proper investigation into the 2004 death of Palm Islander Mulrunji Doomadgee at the hand of a veteran policeman will not lead to disciplinary charges, with Queensland's anti-corruption watchdog powerless to take court action against any of the officers involved.The Australian is right - this is an inexcusable failure of justice. Australian police have been allowed to interfere with an investigation and potentially cover up a serious crime and have been allowed to get away with it by their superiors. The only conclusion we can draw is that the entire Queensland police force is absolutely rotten to the core, racist to a man - and that they will not provide justice when crimes are committed by their own.Crime and Misconduct commissioner Martin Moynihan QC will today announce he is unable to challenge a decision by the Queensland Police Service to reject the watchdog's recommendation for disciplinary action against six officers involved in the now discredited investigations.
The decision of police Deputy Commissioner Kathy Rynders to reject the CMC's recommendations and instead find that the officers face only "managerial guidance" is understood to have created a legal loophole that prevents a court appeal.
The CMC can seek to overturn the decision only if it is in the formal police disciplinary process.
