In summary:
The New South Wales Police Commissioner said she should have given a link to a gin dealer from whom she bought gifts.
She said her office would no longer distribute bottles of gin.
What happens next?
The Commissioner has ordered a review of the department’s gift policies.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb has confirmed that her office will no longer distribute bottles of gin and has ordered a review of the organisation’s gifting policies following allegations made under parliamentary immunity.
Commissioner Webb issued a statement on Friday saying she “should have disclosed” her connection to the gin retailer when she learned of the link.
“I would like to reiterate that purchasing alcohol for ceremonial gifts and charitable donations was a tradition that I continued as commissioner, from the same suppliers as before,” the statement said.
“Before I placed the first order, I was not aware that the manufacturer was Hope Estate.
“I am fully aware that I should have disclosed my connection to the Hope family when I became aware of it.”
The statement came after Commissioner Webb was accused on Wednesday by New South Wales independent MP Rod Roberts, under parliamentary immunity, of using taxpayers’ money to buy over 100 bottles of gin.
Mr Roberts also said that the commissioner had “consumed” some of the alcohol herself.
The commissioner denies the allegations and says the bottles were ordered as gifts and charitable purposes.
The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) also said the connection should have been disclosed earlier after it began investigating the situation last year.
“The Commission concluded that Commissioner Webb should have disclosed her connection to the supplier when she learned of the purchase of Commissioner’s Gin,” the LECC said.
In her statement today, Commissioner Webb said she had since checked the stock and gift register and could “confirm that 32 bottles were distributed as gifts or donated to charity”.
“I have asked that the remaining 18 bottles be donated to Police Legacy for charitable purposes.”
She said a second order of 50 bottles had not yet been paid for and would be returned to the supplier.
Commissioner Webb also released a copy of the gift register detailing where the bottles were distributed.
In her statement, she noted that “the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission investigated this case and found no evidence of serious misconduct.”
Last year’s anonymous complaint
Shortly before Mr Roberts made his statement to Parliament, the LECC announced that it had investigated the purchase of Commissioner’s Gin, albeit for a different reason.
The LECC said it received an anonymous complaint in September last year relating to the purchase of the gin and gift boxes.
The complaint alleged that the Commissioner had a conflict of interest which she had failed to disclose.
The LECC launched an investigation called Operation Askern, which has now concluded.
“The evidence does not support a finding of serious misconduct by Commissioner Webb or any other police officer in connection with the purchase of the Commissioner’s Gin and the presentation boxes,” the LECC said in a statement.
The Commission also concluded that the purchase was in accordance with New South Wales Police policies, but also identified deficiencies in the conduct of Commissioner Webb.
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