ROGER ROGERSON AND GLEN MACNAMARA

Yesterday 15th June 2016, a jury made up of 12 men and women, being the two accused peers, found ex-Police Detectives Roger Rogerson and Glen McNamara, guilty of crimes associated with the murder of Jamie Gao.


I was somewhat taken aback by Detective Inspector Russell Oxford boasting how he had put many hours of work into gaining the conviction of these two ex-corrupt Police Officers.  To my mind, it was a celebratory speech by the Detective Inspector.   I have seen this type of behaviour from plain clothed Police Officers previously, including celebrations partaking in alcohol.   It is all about the conviction and the possibility of promotions thereafter.   I have no doubt that it will not be long and we will be hearing Detective Inspector Russell Oxford has been promoted to Superintendent.   A victory speech is unbecoming of a person at the illustrious rank of Detective Inspector.   The Police Commissioner should not condone that type of behaviour, regardless of the work that has obviously been put in by his team.  

Also last night, there was a 60 Minutes special on Roger Rogerson in particular.   Please bear in mind that Rogerson and McNamara at this point of time have been found guilty of the offenses associated with the murder of Jamie Gao.   Neither man has been sentenced and it is certainly not my intention to influence the judicial system in any way whatsoever.   These two convicted prisoners will also be entitled to the Appeal’s process, regardless of the sentence they receive.  

Have no doubt how I feel towards these two men.   If all the allegations are true and at the end of the Appeal’s process they remain convicted prisoners, I will have no sympathy whatsoever towards them.   I hope that if this is the case, they die in Gaol and be buried face down in an unmarked grave.

Former under cover Police Officer Mick Drury was the focal point of the 60 Minutes program last night.   He came across to me as a genuine and humble person who had lost everything, including his wife and family, as a result of being shot through his kitchen window while his family were in the home.   Mr. Drury alleged that Roger Rogerson was the driver of the car in which the assailant, Christopher Dale Flannery (Mr. Rent-a-kill), fired the shots from close range, directly outside his kitchen window.   As Mr. Drury told his story from the kitchen in which the incident occurred, he had to stop on at least one occasion, as he quivered, tears came to his eyes and he left the room, after which he apologised to this very experienced investigative reporter, Liz Hayes, who was also in tears, as he recalled in the moments after being shot, seeing his life flash before him, and just wanting to kiss his two little girls, having no idea if he would see them again, (paraphrasing).   I have never met Mr. Drury, however I have great sympathy towards him.  It was following his shooting that I have always insisted in my own home that all curtains and blinds are to be closed when the lights go on.

The entire episode from 60 Minutes was quite damaging towards ex-Detective Sergeant Roger Rogerson as he had previously been charged and found not guilty of offences relating to those put forward during the show.   He had however, been charged, convicted and imprisoned of offenses relating to two hidden bank accounts, kept under false names, one of which was so blatant that it was under the name of Dick Tracey (the famous cartoon detective). These two bank accounts contained an amount of in excess of one hundred thousand dollars.

Roger Rogerson in the early 70’s was well known by the New South Wales public and the criminal element in particular.   He was at that stage, touted to become a future Police Commissioner.   It is a dreadful outcome that such a high profile, well respected Police Officer became so corrupt that some 40 years later, he is found guilty of murder and what makes it worse, he was not the only corrupt Police Officer forcing the New South Wales Government to hold a Royal Commission into the New South Wales Police Force.   I am still seeing signs of corrupt behaviour from plain clothed Police Officers in New South Wales.   Perhaps it is time for another Royal Commission as the first one failed to completely root out that dreadful stain on society, corruption within the Police Force.

You can read more about Roger Rogerson in my latest book Cutting the Bars – Volume 3, including how he won the coveted Peter Mitchell Award for the recapture of convicted escaped criminal, Garry John Purdey in 1980, and his involvement in the investigation of the murdered schoolgirl in the septic tank, leading to the conviction of Bruce Kenneth Mackenzie.   (Interestingly, Mick Drury won the same award the following year.)