Careers of top cops in jeopardy after brothel probe exposed

The careers of four senior NSW police hang in the balance as the force’s top brass and politicians consider the impact of allegations they accepted services from a Sydney brothel owner and accused drug runner.

The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) early last week raided the homes of the four officers who hold powerful positions within NSW Police.

The LECC has refused to acknowledge the existence of the probe despite the Herald revealing the raids on Sunday, but multiple sources within police say it is focused on CCTV from a decade ago at a Camperdown brothel.

At least two senior officers were allegedly filmed in the venue, Stiletto, and provided with free services, sources say.

At the time, Stiletto was owned by high-profile gambler Eddie Hayson, 57, who is now awaiting trial over the supply of large commercial quantities of prohibited drugs.

There is no suggestion Hayson has any connection to or knowledge of the LECC raids or that he provided the officers with free services. There is no suggestion the allegations against the officers are true.

However, the significant roles they play in the force have implications politically and practically for their organisation.

Police sources have told this masthead that the officers have access to the most secure files held by police and work on some of the most critical investigations.

Some head partnerships with other agencies and police forces from the Commonwealth and other states – relationships which are often tense and reliant on trusted information sharing.

However, competing concerns surfaced within the police on Sunday that standing the officers down would reveal them as the targets of the raid and tarnish their reputations, even if they were cleared.

Top levels of NSW Police had requested briefings from LECC as early as March last year, when the Herald first revealed the existence of the probe, but none were given, sources said.

NSW Premier Chris Minns was on Monday asked whether the officers should be stood down while the investigation runs its course.

“I’ll let that be a decision guided by both the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission and NSW Police,” Minns said.

“But I wouldn’t automatically say that, and the reason for that is because there’s an important element here associated with an investigation taking place and due process taking place.”

Minns urged the LECC, which is independent of the government and police, to conduct the probe without delay.

“It’s important that that investigation take place as quickly as possible. Obviously, NSW Police have got a big job in front of them,” Minns said.

As of Monday, no decisions had been made to move the officers from their positions.

In its annual report in October last year, the LECC requested stronger powers to force information out of the NSW Police.

“There is no obligation on law enforcement agencies to provide the Commission with information … The Commission can only request the information and hope that the law enforcement agency co-operates,” the report says.

The LECC report says any information that is handed over is de-identified, meaning the watchdog struggles to conduct research.

The LECC itself, when is queried by its own oversight body, must produce any and all relevant records.

“The Commission recommends that the LECC Act should be amended so that the Commission’s right of access to information held by law enforcement agencies is in the same terms,” the LECC asked.

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