Media Release From The Board Of The Police Association
Last night the “Holmes” television show aired allegations by former undercover officers about the Police undercover program during the 1980s.
The Board of the Police Association is made up of serving police officers elected by their peers.
The Board acknowledges that these former undercover officers, and others, have long-standing and genuine grievances. These relate to their treatment by the Police Department in conjunction with, and subsequent to, their deployment as Police undercover operatives.
The Association has supported this group of former agents over the last 10 years. It has spent in excess of $1 million to assist them in pursuing legal remedies. The Court of Appeal ruled in 2002 that the majority, including all of those who appeared on the “Holmes” show, have no claim for compensatory damages, as they were eligible to receive ACC compensation.
This group is estimated to have received in excess of $5 million in earnings-related compensation from ACC since they resigned from Police. A number are still in receipt of weekly compensation payments. In addition they have received considerable rehabilitation, counselling and job retraining.
The Association has successfully negotiated settlements for a number of former undercover operatives who were not eligible for ACC compensation.
The Board of the Police Association has every confidence in Mr O’Connor and commends him for fronting up to the allegations made, even though as a former undercover officer the exposure potentially places himself and his family at some physical risk of retribution.
