In October 2023, Commissioner Donna Adams announced an independent review into the conduct of now-deceased police officer Paul Reynolds.
The Review is in response to the findings of the Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government’s Responses to Child Abuse in Institutional Settings which 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.
Commissioner Adams appointed experienced Tasmanian-based barrister Ms Regina Weiss, to undertake a Review.
The Weiss Independent Review assessed whether Paul Reynolds used his position as a police officer to groom young people and commit child sexual abuse.
The Review also considered if there was any misconduct by police officers involved in the investigation of any allegations against Paul Reynolds.
All information proactively provided by Tasmania Police to the Commission of Inquiry was provided to Ms Weiss for consideration.
Victim-survivors or members of the community were encouraged to report concerns or provide information regarding the behaviour of Paul Reynolds.
Terms of Reference
The objectives of the Review were:
- To assess the actions of Paul Reynolds whilst a serving police officer to determine if there has been criminal misconduct in his handling of matters reported to him or investigated by him during the course of his career.
- To enable victim-survivors or members of the community to report concerns regarding the behaviour of Paul Reynolds.
- To identify whether Paul Reynolds used his position as a police officer to groom young people and commit child sexual abuse.
- To provide appropriate support to any victim-survivor that chooses to come forward.
- To identify if there has been any misconduct by police officers involved in the investigation of any allegations against Paul Reynolds.
- To identify organisational learnings.
Read the Terms of Reference:
Apology
Commissioner Adams acknowledged that the decision to hold a police funeral for Paul Reynolds was wrong.
In October 2023, Commissioner Adams sincerely apologised to those affected – victim-survivors, the Tasmanian community, and members and staff of Tasmania Police.
The Tasmania Police 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.
About the Independent Reviewer
Ms Regina 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.
* If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual violence, please call the statewide Sexual Assault Crisis Line 24/7 on 1800 697 877.
If you or someone you know is impacted by family violence, please call the Family Violence Response and Referral Line 24/7 on 1800 633 937.
In an emergency, always call 000.
The Tasmanian Government’s Keeping Children Safe website is available at https://keepingchildrensafe.tas.gov.au/ – you can find information about what the Tasmanian Government is doing to keep Tasmanian children and young people safe, where to go for advice, support or help, and information about financial assistance.
Support services are available via https://keepingchildrensafe.tas.gov.au/get-support/