DRUG SQUAD AXED AS VIC POLICE INTRODUCE TOUGH NEW MEASURES

Victoria Police today unveiled a plan which will see the dismantling
of the drug squad, and the formation of a new Major Drugs
Investigation Division.

The changes come after a four-month independent review ordered by
Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon to combat allegations of
corruption within the drug squad.

The 13 person investigation panel, headed by Detective Superintendent
Terry Purton, made 152 recommendations including psychological
evaluations and random drug and alcohol tests for members and
tamper-proof drug storage bags to prevent temptation.

Ms Nixon said that under the plan, drug investigation detectives
would now only serve in the unit for a maximum of five years.

"What we hope they will do is create a corruption-resistant
organisation, and will improve our practices and procedures in the
way we deal with drug law enforcement across the whole of Victoria
Police," Ms Nixon said.

"I have to say that the members of the drug squad who have been there
are hard-working and have had outstanding results, and the vast
majority of them have had no corruption associated with them.

"But what we're looking for is to move forward, to have systems and
practices in place that will be able to ensure we are corruption
resistant."

All positions in the new division are up for grabs, with a fresh
command team to take control early next year.

New standards for dealing with informers and handling sting
operations would also be introduced, including audit and compliance
safety mechanisms for greater accountability.

The shake-up follows allegations including the still unsolved 1996
break-in of the St Kilda Road drug squad headquarters and the theft
of drugs from secure facilities.

There has also been the disappearance and later reappearance of a gun
from the drug squad office and one serving and one former member have
been charged with trafficking drugs.

"When I looked at the 10 year history of allegations around the drug
squad, it was extremely important that we take fair and large steps
forward," Ms Nixon said.

Victorian Police Minister Andre Haermeyer said it was important to
continue the force's reputation as the cleanest in Australia.

"We certainly don't have any systemic or endemic problems that
afflict the force across the board, but we have to be very vigilant
in ... high risk, high profile areas like the drug squad," he said.

Since mid-1999, the drug squad has uncovered 67 clandestine
laboratories, made 445 arrests, and seized drugs with an estimated
value of more than $120 million.