NSW police commissioner cleared of misconduct over alleged leaking of Bondi victim's name
Outgoing NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has been cleared of misconduct allegations after she was accused of releasing the name of Bondi Junction stabbing victim Dawn Singleton to former talkback host Ray Hadley on the day of the attack.
The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) said on Tuesday that it received a complaint that Commissioner Webb "breached the NSW Police Force Media Policy by releasing the confidential details of a deceased person … prior to the deceased's next of kin being notified".
On April 13 last year, Joel Cauchi killed six people and injured 10 with a knife during a rampage at the Westfield Shopping Centre in Sydney's east.
2GB radio host Ben Fordham on Tuesday recounted Hadley's versions of events.
"It was the commissioner's way of saying it without saying it."
Fordham said Hadley called the police commissioner on behalf of Ms Singleton's father, prominent businessman John Singleton.
"He [Mr Singleton] said, 'I think my Dawnie is one of those who lost their life, and I can't confirm it,'" Hadley recounted on Fordham's show.
The LECC said the investigation was concluded in March this year and that it was "satisfied that there was no misconduct by the Commissioner of Police in relation to this matter".
The ABC reached out to NSW Police for comment.
A coronial inquest into the stabbing attack remains underway to investigate the lessons that can be learned.
Sue Chrysanthou, SC, the lawyer representing some victims' families, including Ms Singleton's, questioned Assistant Police Commissioner Peter McKenna on Tuesday.
Victims of crime cannot be identified by police until their next of kin have been informed, have had reasonable time to tell others, and have given consent for identification, the court heard.
Assistant Commissioner McKenna agreed under cross-examination that the code of conduct and ethics applied to "all police officers", including the police commissioner in relation to the release of information publicly.
However, he emphasised that policies in place were "guidelines".
"There are certain circumstances with some nuances where you may have to step outside of [them]," he said.
Ms Chrysanthou said some of her clients "think there's been a major issue" that "hasn't been appropriately dealt with".
Neither Dawn Singleton nor Ray Hadley were named in this line of inquiry.
The hearing, in its last week, continues.
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