QLD: Cops lied over fatal chase: inquest

AAP General News (Australia)
12-11-2008
QLD: Cops lied over fatal chase: inquest

By Crystal Ja

GOLD COAST, Dec 11 AAP - Police officers deliberately lied about the circumstances
of a fatal motorcycle chase because they knew they had broken pursuit protocols, an inquest
has heard.

Bikie Craig Robert Shepherd, 26, was killed and his female passenger seriously injured
when their motorbike skidded around a tight bend at Beechmont Road on the Gold Coast in
2006.

They had been pursued for over 20km by police, who initially spotted them speeding
along the Pacific Motorway in excess of 160km/h.

Counsel assisting the coroner, Justin Harper, told the inquest Mr Shepherd's speed
and dangerous driving was a major contributor to the crash.

But he said the two police officers involved had deliberately omitted information from
an internal investigation to cover up a series of procedural failures.

Senior Constables Stephen Chapman and Hilton Buckley said they tried twice to contact
the communications command during the pursuit, but were let down by a malfunctioning radio.

Const Chapman admitted to the inquest on Wednesday he could have used his mobile phone
to contact headquarters, having used it twice to call two fellow officers during the chase.

All four officers failed to mention the telephone calls in initial interviews.

"They were misleading in their evidence," Mr Harper told the inquest.

"It's highly unlikely that four of them would have forgotten ... one could, but the
fact that four did it is serious to say the least."

He said the officers were more concerned with catching Mr Shepherd, who had links to
the Odins Warriors motorcycle gang, than prioritising public safety.

Const Chapman earlier said the crash had occurred just moments after he and his partner
had called off the chase.

But they did not stop, pull over or turn off their lights and sirens.

Mr Harper said it was clear the officers were still in pursuit when the motorcycle crashed.

Paul Smith, on behalf of the officers, said: "The officers generally acted within the
(pursuit) policy, but it is conceded there wasn't strict compliance."

Queensland coroner Michael Barnes will deliver his findings on Friday.

AAP cj/pjo/wf/de

KEYWORD: SHEPHERD (PIX AVAILABLE)

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