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Investigation Announced into Paul Reynolds & Child Sex Abuse Matters
Media release – Felix Ellis, Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, 6 October 2023
Independent Review to investigate matters relating to Paul Reynolds
Tasmania Police has today announced it will engage an independent reviewer to investigate matters relating to Paul Reynolds while he was a serving police officer.
The review will assess the actions of Paul Reynolds to determine if there has been criminal misconduct in his handling of matters reported to him or investigated by him, and whether he used his position of power to groom young people and commit child sexual abuse during the course of his career. This will include while he was stationed at the Deloraine Division and in Prosecution Services.
The review will also identify if there has been any misconduct by police officers involved in the investigation of any allegations against Paul Reynolds.
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Felix Ellis, said the Tasmanian Government strongly supports the Independent Review.
“Government institutions, including Tasmania Police, must work to rebuild the trust of victim survivors and the community and we have been clear we will take strong action in response to the Commission of Inquiry,” Minister Ellis said.
“As Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, I am committed to rebuilding this trust and leaving no stone left unturned as part of this work.
“That begins with ensuring that this matter is appropriately and independently reviewed to ensure that the circumstances surrounding Mr Reynolds never happen again.
“This investigation goes beyond the 191 recommendations of the COI. We want to not just meet but exceed their recommendations to make Tasmania the safest place in the world for children.
“Keeping children safe is our highest priority.
“Holding a police funeral for Paul Reynolds was the wrong decision. I welcome Tasmania Police taking immediate steps to amend its Police Funeral policies to ensure this never happens again.
The Independent Review will be undertaken by Ms Regina Weiss of the Tasmanian Bar.
Ms Weiss commenced her legal career in Tasmania as Associate to the Honourable Chief Justice Alan Blow, before becoming a Federal Prosecutor and moving to The Hague prosecuting war crimes and crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court.
From 2016-2021, Ms Weiss led the legal teams of Federal Government agencies Sport Integrity Australia, the Australian Sports Anti-doping Authority and the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity.
Ms Weiss has conducted various reviews into allegations of historical abuse in sport as independent counsel, acts for plaintiffs in institutional abuse matters and advocates human rights globally.
“This investigation will provide opportunities for members of the public to provide information or report concerns regarding the actions of Paul Reynolds,” Minister Ellis said.
“I urge members of the public to come forward with any information. You will be listened to and supported.”
Minister Ellis said the final report will be made public.
More information including the Terms of Reference is available here: https://www.police.tas.gov.au/commission-of-inquiry/
If you need support, contact the services listed below, which are free and confidential. Support is available by phone and/or face-to-face:
- Lifeline 13 11 14 orwww.lifelinetasmania.org.au
- Tasmanian Lifeline 1800 98 44 34
- State-wide Sexual Assault Support Line (Sexual Assault Support Service and Laurel House) 1800 697 877
- Relationships Australia Tasmania 1300 364 277
Reynolds Investigation Welcome But TOR Inadequate
The Tasmanian Greens welcome the decision to establish an independent investigation into the senior police sergeant Paul Reynolds and child sexual abuse matters. However, we are concerned the scope of the investigation is inadequate, and question whether investigator Regina Weiss will have the powers she needs to examine this issue properly.
For the past week the Greens have been demanding an investigation into the very serious and disturbing circumstances surrounding Paul Reynolds. The community, including many former and current police officers, have demonstrated real outrage and concern about this issue and Tasmania Police’s conduct, including the decision to grant him a police funeral.
It is good news an independent investigation has been announced, but we are troubled to see the inadequate Terms of Reference that have been set by the Commissioner for Police. It also appears the investigation has not been given the power to compel witnesses, order the production of evidence, or refer individuals for prosecution.
This investigation should be empowered to look at this deeply serious issue in full, without being hobbled from the outset.
The Terms of Reference for this investigation must be immediately amended to ensure they cover the following:
- Tasmania Police’s decision to award a full honours funeral to Paul Reynolds
- Investigation of whether any other complaints about Paul Reynolds were ever made to Tasmania Police (in any form), and the organisation’s response to these complaints
- Assessment of the actions of Paul Reynolds to determine if he engaged in misconduct of any kind in relation to matters raised with police
- Identification (under the evidence provided) of the extent of Paul Reynolds’ grooming of young people and committing of child sexual abuse – whether in his capacity as a police officer or not
- Investigation of the matters raised by the Coroner surrounding the potential for Paul Reynolds to have provided police information to people outside the police force, including in exchange for money.
The investigator must be given the powers needed to compel witnesses, order the production of evidence, and refer individuals for prosecution if findings warrant.
By leaving the police to manage this issue themselves, Police Minister Felix Ellis has failed in his responsibility to act in the spirit of the Commission of Inquiry’s findings. The result is an investigation that has inadequate Terms of Reference and limited powers.
The Police Minister needs to step up and intervene to ensure the investigation can do the job serving police and the community expect. Without a complete scope of investigation and full powers, Tasmania Police’s reputation cannot help but remain tainted with the questions the Commission of Inquiry has raised.
Media release – Tasmania Police, 6 October 2023
Commission of Inquiry – Paul Reynolds
An independent review, headed by experienced Tasmanian-based barrister Ms Regina Weiss, is underway in relation to the conduct of former police officer Paul Reynolds.
Commissioner Donna Adams said today that over the past week, Tasmania Police had considered the extensive Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government’s Responses to Child Abuse in Institutional Settings, including the Paul Reynolds matter.
“Tasmania Police proactively disclosed information to the Commission of Inquiry in relation to Paul Reynolds and allegations about him,” she said.
“The Commission independently assessed this information and found there were failings in the initial investigation into allegations of child sexual abuse, and the decision to hold a police funeral following his death in 2018.
“We accept this finding and we are implementing in full the recommendations from the Commission with respect to this and other matters.”
Commissioner Adams said that an immediate review of the Tasmania Police Manual had been undertaken. The manual has been amended to include a requirement for the Commissioner of the day to consider any current Professional Standards matters as part of the decision-making process for holding a police funeral.
“As I’ve said previously, the decision to hold a police funeral was a mistake and one we regret. I sincerely apologise to all victim survivors and all Tasmania Police staff for this decision,” she said.
“It’s critical that we learn from our past failings and do whatever we can to ensure such serious allegations against a police officer are appropriately investigated.
“As a result, an independent review, headed by Ms Weiss, is now underway to assess whether Paul Reynolds used his position as a police officer to groom young people and commit child sexual abuse.
“The review, which is being conducted in a trauma-informed way, will also assess whether there has been criminal misconduct in his handling of matters reported to him or investigated by him during the course of his career, with particular focus on his tenure at the Deloraine Division and Prosecution Services.
“The review will also consider if there was any misconduct by police officers involved in the investigation of any allegations against Paul Reynolds.
“All information that was proactively provided to the Commission of Inquiry will also be provided to Ms Weiss to consider as part of her review.
“Victim-survivors or members of the community are encouraged to report concerns or provide information regarding the behaviour of Paul Reynolds.
“I acknowledge the importance of our community having trust and confidence in Tasmania Police, and in the interests of transparency we are ensuring the review is undertaken as a matter of priority.”
Ms Weiss commenced her legal career in Tasmania as Associate to the Honourable Chief Justice Alan Blow, before becoming a Federal Prosecutor and moving to The Hague prosecuting war crimes and crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court.
From 2016-2021, Ms Weiss led the legal teams of Federal Government agencies Sport Integrity Australia, the Australian Sports Anti-doping Authority and the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity.
Ms Weiss has also conducted various reviews into allegations of historical abuse in sport as independent counsel, acts for plaintiffs in institutional abuse matters and advocates human rights globally.
“Ms Weiss is highly regarded and suitably qualified to undertake this important independent review. This review will be extensive and is expected to take some months to complete in order to fully consider all information and evidence,” Commissioner Adams said.
Commissioner Adams said that Tasmania Police had already begun implementing Commission recommendations including expanding the Professional Standards Family and Sexual Violence Involving Police Review Committee (which is already independently chaired) to include oversight of all sex offence allegations involving police members, reflecting our shift to become more trauma informed in how we respond to victims.
“I want to be transparent, open and accountable to ensure that the public has trust in our processes and our people,” she said.
“Tasmania Police welcomes the independent examination of this matter and welcomes any opportunity to ensure the transparency and accountability of our organisation.”
At the conclusion of the review, a report will be prepared by Ms Weiss that outlines the outcomes of the review including any misconduct findings and any recommendations regarding policy and practise reforms for Tasmania Police.
This report will be made public.
More information including the Terms of Reference is available here: https://www.police.tas.gov.au/commission-of-inquiry/.