Hen's party mistake police for strippers

Female patrons at a Hen's Night at the Humpty Doo Hotel in the Northern Territory confused police officers with strippers. Picture: Thinkstock Source: Supplied

A HEN'S party mistook police for strippers when the boys in khaki responded to reports of a disturbance at the Humpty Doo Hotel south of Darwin.

The excitable ladies attempted to take the Palmerston police officers shirts off when they entered the bar, Watch Commander Louise Jorgensen said.

"The girls were in fine form and they nearly had their shirts taken off but they managed to escape with their dignity intact," Senior Sergeant Jorgensen said.

Senior Sergeant Bob Harrison said the police were responding to reports that about 10 people at the pub were arguing about 10.40 pm yesterday.

But when they entered they were surrounded by the amorous women.

"They were mistaken for strippers - I don't know any strippers that wear accoutrements belts and turn up in a police car," he said.

Read more in the NT News

View the original article here

Police can't pass on phone-tap tips

VICTORIA'S top cops are growing increasingly "frustrated" at being forced to stay silent over criminal activity involving Australian sporting clubs.

As revealed by the Herald Sun today, Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Graham Ashton said the newly formed Sports Integrity Intelligence Unit regularly discovered criminal activity involving sporting clubs but were unable to take action because of a federal law on telephone intercepts.

"It's a very intrusive power - telephone intercepts - and therefore there are rightly restrictions on how you can use that information. We just think this is an instance where the issues around integrity in sport are growing as an issue in Australia," Mr Ashton said this morning.

Speaking ahead of today’s Sport Symposium, Mr Ashton warned match fixing - which was a "bigger threat to Australian sport than drugs" - was sprouting from international match fixing syndicates "right on our doorstep".

He said most issues identified had been linked to the racing industry, but sports which attracted significant off-shore betting such as soccer, cricket, tennis were also of particular concern.

"It has been frustrating to sit across from the Racing Integrity Commissioner, who is charged with the responsibility of the racing industry, and to be able to say, 'We know certain things, but we can't tell you what they are'," he said.

"We haven’t heard from the Commonwealth Government in any sort of public way about what they intend to do in relation to that legislation.

"Victoria Police is taking the risks posed to sport both in Victoria and across the country very seriously. Through our, we are connecting with all sporting codes and developing best practice and protection for sporting clubs."

"But it is an inevitability that if we do not take strong protective actions now, at some point in the not too distant future Australian sport will become compromised."

The Herald Sun revealed a number of jockeys and owners would be banned from horse racing today if police were legally able to reveal what they knew about them.

Mr Ashton said the force would happily tip off racing authorities about the rogue industry insiders if they were allowed to.

He said the Federal Government would have to change legislation relating to the sharing of telephone-tap and other material before that could happen.

Mr Ashton said he had no doubt several racing identities would be banned if the legislation were changed to allow information sharing.

Australians are now betting about $7 billion a year offshore, much of it on exotic bets that are illegal in Australia.

Speaking before today's Victoria Police forum on corruption in sport, he revealed:

ORGANISED crime's grip on world sport is so strong that it is inevitable that Australian matches in various sporting codes will be fixed.

OVERSEAS intelligence shows one of the fastest-growing crimes in the world involves organised crime groups corrupting sportsmen and women to fix matches so gang members can make huge bets on the known outcome.

POLICE have started lecturing AFL players about the dangers of being compromised by crime figures who want to corrupt them.

EVIDENCE gathered by the force's new sporting integrity intelligence unit suggests the risk from betting and match-fixing is greater than the threat from performance drugs.

AUSTRALIANS are now betting about $7 billion a year offshore, much of it on exotic bets that are illegal in Australia.

Mr Ashton said the growing number of Australians involved in spot betting - which involved being able to bet on one small outcome of a match, rather than the final result - was a major concern for police.

"Spot betting is the greatest risk in Australia because, from an ethical standpoint, it's more likely that people will be induced into fixing around spot betting than fixing a whole match," he said.

Mr Ashton also revealed the trend for Australians to increasingly "bet in the run" offshore also made Australian sport more susceptible to organised crime getting involved in fixing our sporting events, such as soccer, cricket and tennis games.

Betting in the run - in which bets are accepted during a game or race until just before the finish - is illegal in Australia, but is easy to do from Australia with offshore bookmakers.

View the original article here

Hen's party mistake police for strippers

Female patrons at a Hen's Night at the Humpty Doo Hotel in the Northern Territory confused police officers with strippers. Picture: Thinkstock Source: Supplied

A HEN'S party mistook police for strippers when the boys in khaki responded to reports of a disturbance at the Humpty Doo Hotel south of Darwin.

The excitable ladies attempted to take the Palmerston police officers shirts off when they entered the bar, Watch Commander Louise Jorgensen said.

"The girls were in fine form and they nearly had their shirts taken off but they managed to escape with their dignity intact," Senior Sergeant Jorgensen said.

Senior Sergeant Bob Harrison said the police were responding to reports that about 10 people at the pub were arguing about 10.40 pm yesterday.

But when they entered they were surrounded by the amorous women.

"They were mistaken for strippers - I don't know any strippers that wear accoutrements belts and turn up in a police car," he said.

Read more in the NT News

View the original article here

More police to start using Tasers

More Victorian police will soon be equipped with Tasers.

WEAPONS being used against police and call-outs involving drug-affected people have prompted police to increase the use of Tasers in Victoria.

Tasers will be used by police at Geelong, Corio and Ballarat from Monday to assist police to resolve serious incidents if needed.

A high reporting of capsicum spray use in these areas also prompted the decision.

Officers at these stations will join police at Moe, Morwell and Traralgon and Bendigo, who also carry Tasers.

Police deputy commissioner Tim Cartwright said Tasers will only be used in life-threatening circumstances.

“All police with access to the Conducted Energy Devices (CEDs) have undertaken extensive training in their use,” Mr Cartwright said.

“But they are trained to only use the CED in situations where they reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent the risk of death or serious injury.

“This training goes hand-in-hand with other training that police members regularly undertake, such as dealing with vulnerable people, negotiation and communication skills and general operational tactics and safety training.”

Mr Cartwright said Victoria Police would continue to have strict accountability processes in place to monitor the use of tasers.

He said that only one police member per two-person patrol would carry the taser throughout the shift.

Jessica.evans@news.com.au

View the original article here

Police data abused by officers

The lives of informers and police officers have been put at risk over the "gravest" of leaks from inside the force.

HUNDREDS of police members have been caught abusing confidential information stored on the operational intelligence database.

Dodgy officers have gained unauthorised access and improperly used sensitive details from the secure LEAP computer system 214 times in the past five years, the Herald Sun can exclusively reveal.

"The unauthorised disclosure of protected law enforcement data is taken very seriously by Victoria Police - this action that can cause significant risks to police and the community, undermine serious investigations and diminish the confidence that the community has in Victoria Police," said Assistant Commissioner Emmett Dunne, of Professional Standards Command.

The alarming news comes two days after Victoria Police announced that raids on three properties - one directly linked to a high-profile outlaw bikie gang - had uncovered hundreds of pages from the LEAP network.

Chief Commissioner Ken Lay said the major information link was "one of the gravest breaches of police security" he had seen in his 39-year career.

The Herald Sun can reveal 196 officers, including a superintendent, have been caught misusing the main police database.

Victorian Police Chief Commissioner Ken Lay and Assistant Commissioner Steve Fontana detailing their concerns about a police information leak. Picture: Tim Carrafa

A further 15 members of staff at Victoria Police have also illegally abused the network for their own gain.

Three senior sergeants were guilty of improper use and unauthorised access to the database twice each.

The force is investigating officers with links to outlaw motorcycle gangs, as part of Taskforce Eagle launched in March. Detectives within the taskforce spearheaded raids three weeks ago, which uncovered top-secret police information, including the names of police informants.

Police believe a junior officer is at the centre of the scandal and will be charged.

Taskforce Keel was set up this week to ascertain if the unnamed officer, who has been suspended without pay, had bikie links before joining the force.

Victorian Police Chief Commissioner Ken Lay - pictured with Assistant Commissioner Steve Fontana - described the release of crucial police information as "horrible" and "damaging". Picture: Tim Carrafa

Assistant Commissioner Dunne said that LEAP database breaches would not be tolerated. "This kind of action is not tolerated and members (could be) dismissed," he said.

jon.kaila@news.com.au

View the original article here

Bikie spies in police ranks

The lives of informers and police officers have been put at risk over the "gravest" of leaks from inside the force.

UNDERWORLD informers and police are at risk after being identified in secret documents stolen by a corrupt cop and given to outlaw bikies.

An ashen-faced Chief Commissioner Ken Lay said that raids on three properties a fortnight ago had discovered a staggering volume of sensitive police files, the leaking of which put lives, investigations and possibly criminal trials at risk.

Detectives are working through a list of informers leaked by the rogue officer.

But police are yet to find all of those in danger, and could not rule out that some of those informers may already have been the victims of payback attacks.

Police say they have "no idea" how many investigations have been jeopardised by the breach, which has also exposed officers and put their lives in danger.

Leaking cops put lives in danger

Mr Lay said a junior member from a station in the northwest metropolitan region was at the centre of the breach. Sources said the outlaw bikie club that had corrupted the officer was the Hells Angels.

Victorian Police Chief Commissioner Ken Lay - pictured with Assistant Commissioner Steve Fontana - described the release of crucial police information as "horrible" and "damaging". Picture: Tim Carrafa

The Herald Sun has also learned a former member with the Comancheros outlaw bikie gang is suspected by the underworld of being an informer. But police confirmed there were no established links with the ex-bikie and the current investigation.

Mr Lay said the leaking was the "gravest breach of police security" he had seen in his career.

"Today is an example of one of the most serious types of corruption that could occur," he said. "A breach of this security is a breach of the community's trust and simply cannot be tolerated."

The bikie, the mafia and the ecstasy

A 31-man taskforce, codenamed Keel, headed by Assistant Commissioner Steve Fontana, will probe whether the leaks have led to informers being victims of payback attacks.

"It's one thing about knowing someone has been the victim of a crime, but part of the work is you've got to work out whether it's actually associated with that release of information," Mr Fontana said.

Victorian Police Chief Commissioner Ken Lay and Assistant Commissioner Steve Fontana detailing their concerns about a police information leak. Picture: Tim Carrafa

"We believe there may have been some incidents that we're looking at, but not killed certainly. But, you know, whether they've been the victims of some sort of retribution? That's what we're certainly looking at."

Taskforce Keel follows the Taskforce Eagle, established in March to identify rats in the ranks associated with outlaw gangs.

Taskforce Eagle probes cop links to bikies

Mr Lay said the officer at the centre of the scandal would be charged.

"You will see in the foreseeable future police members responsible will be brought to account and be required to justify their actions to the community through the judicial process," he said.

"This person seems to be the key of all the disclosures, although it's true to say that there may be a small number of members acting on the periphery."

Jail new recruiting ground as bikie ranks soar

Mr Lay said the taskforce was working to ascertain whether the officer had links with the bikie gang before becoming a police officer.

"Over the years we've seen a number of corrupt police who have been cultivated over many, many years. One of the particularly worrying aspects of this investigation is this is not a similar profile of the member. He's quite a junior member," he said.

Last year the Herald Sun reported the bashing of suspected police informer Mick Mantzaris -- a body builder with connections to corrupt former police officer Andrew Tait -- who was clubbed by members of the Comancheros in a Doveton driveway.

Senior figures of the Comancheros and Bandidos have been linked to members of the force in recent months, which is suspected of derailing a covert operation in 2010 dubbed Operation Corsair.

View the original article here

Hen's party mistake police for strippers

Female patrons at a Hen's Night at the Humpty Doo Hotel in the Northern Territory confused police officers with strippers. Picture: Thinkstock Source: Supplied

A HEN'S party mistook police for strippers when the boys in khaki responded to reports of a disturbance at the Humpty Doo Hotel south of Darwin.

The excitable ladies attempted to take the Palmerston police officers shirts off when they entered the bar, Watch Commander Louise Jorgensen said.

"The girls were in fine form and they nearly had their shirts taken off but they managed to escape with their dignity intact," Senior Sergeant Jorgensen said.

Senior Sergeant Bob Harrison said the police were responding to reports that about 10 people at the pub were arguing about 10.40 pm yesterday.

But when they entered they were surrounded by the amorous women.

"They were mistaken for strippers - I don't know any strippers that wear accoutrements belts and turn up in a police car," he said.

Read more in the NT News

View the original article here

Hen's party mistake police for strippers

Female patrons at a Hen's Night at the Humpty Doo Hotel in the Northern Territory confused police officers with strippers. Picture: Thinkstock Source: Supplied

A HEN'S party mistook police for strippers when the boys in khaki responded to reports of a disturbance at the Humpty Doo Hotel south of Darwin.

The excitable ladies attempted to take the Palmerston police officers shirts off when they entered the bar, Watch Commander Louise Jorgensen said.

"The girls were in fine form and they nearly had their shirts taken off but they managed to escape with their dignity intact," Senior Sergeant Jorgensen said.

Senior Sergeant Bob Harrison said the police were responding to reports that about 10 people at the pub were arguing about 10.40 pm yesterday.

But when they entered they were surrounded by the amorous women.

"They were mistaken for strippers - I don't know any strippers that wear accoutrements belts and turn up in a police car," he said.

Read more in the NT News

View the original article here

Police investigate fight on Mt Everest

Mountaineers descend from the summit of Mount Everest. Police are investigating after a brawl reportedly broke out between climbers and their Nepalese guides. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

POLICE near Mount Everest are investigating reports of a fight on the upper reaches of the world's highest mountain between two foreign climbers and their Nepalese guides, officials said.

"We were told our clients and the guides fought on their way to camp three. We don't have all the details yet, but our clients have come down off the peak," said Anish Gupta of Cho-Oyu Trekking, the Kathmandu-based company that organised the expedition.

He said that one of the clients, a Swiss national, had descended the mountain and was currently waiting for a flight back to Kathmandu.

The other client, an Italian, remained at Everest Base Camp and may still try to summit the 8848-metre peak.

Sitaram Karki, the chief district officer in Solukhumbu, the region where Everest stands, said the police were conducting an investigation, but the details were still unclear.

"There are communication issues high on the mountain, but we have received the reports of a fight and deployed our team to investigate the incident," Mr Karki said.

More than 3000 people have climbed Everest, which straddles Nepal and China, since it was first conquered by New Zealand's Sir Edmund Hillary and Nepalese guide Tenzing Norgay in 1953. Every year hundreds more set out in April to attempt the climb.

View the original article here

Police investigate fight on Mt Everest

Mountaineers descend from the summit of Mount Everest. Police are investigating after a brawl reportedly broke out between climbers and their Nepalese guides. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

POLICE near Mount Everest are investigating reports of a fight on the upper reaches of the world's highest mountain between two foreign climbers and their Nepalese guides, officials said.

"We were told our clients and the guides fought on their way to camp three. We don't have all the details yet, but our clients have come down off the peak," said Anish Gupta of Cho-Oyu Trekking, the Kathmandu-based company that organised the expedition.

He said that one of the clients, a Swiss national, had descended the mountain and was currently waiting for a flight back to Kathmandu.

The other client, an Italian, remained at Everest Base Camp and may still try to summit the 8848-metre peak.

Sitaram Karki, the chief district officer in Solukhumbu, the region where Everest stands, said the police were conducting an investigation, but the details were still unclear.

"There are communication issues high on the mountain, but we have received the reports of a fight and deployed our team to investigate the incident," Mr Karki said.

More than 3000 people have climbed Everest, which straddles Nepal and China, since it was first conquered by New Zealand's Sir Edmund Hillary and Nepalese guide Tenzing Norgay in 1953. Every year hundreds more set out in April to attempt the climb.

View the original article here

Dubai police show off Ferrari patrol car

DUBAI police have shown off a new Ferrari they will use to patrol the city state, hot on the heels of a Lamborghini that joined the fleet earlier.

The car, sporting the green and white of Dubai police, was unveiled at the foot of the Burj al-Khalifa, the world's tallest building and will be used by women police to patrol tourist areas.

The introduction of luxury Italian cars to the police force is being seen as a sign of economic recovery in the Gulf emirate where a housing bubble burst in 2008.

View the original article here

Police operation hits loan sharks

POLICE say they have smashed a major loan sharking operation on the Gold Coast, arresting a gang of alleged violent standover men and seizing assets including a $20 million olive plantation.

Three men were arrested in raids this morning after a 17-month investigation by the detectives from the Coast's Major and Organised Crime Squad.

The men are accused of running a multimillion dollar loan sharking business targeting struggling small businesses and pensioners.

Police allege at least a dozen business and individuals who borrowed money at 'extortionate' rates from the syndicate were bashed or threatened with violence.

"If the borrowers couldn't pay, the thugs allegedly bashed them or threatened them and/or took over businesses and even homes," Major and Organised Crime Squad chief Detective Inspector Scott Knowles said.

"One of the businesses allegedly taken over was a $20 million olive plantation on the Queensland-New South Wales border.

"One of the victims allegedly borrowed $10,000 which turned into a $35,000 debt to the organisation. It was going up at a rate of $1000 a week."

The alleged ringleader of what Insp Knowles described as a 'criminal organisation' was arrested at a waterfront Broadbeach Waters home but was later taken to hospital with a heart complaint.

The man, 43, and his alleged associates, aged 44 and 51, were charged with multiple extortion offences as well as serious assault and firearms and drug charges.

Police seized $26,000 in cash in the raids but say there could be 'millions' more in money and assets.

More arrests are possible.

View the original article here

Hen's party mistake police for strippers

Female patrons at a Hen's Night at the Humpty Doo Hotel in the Northern Territory confused police officers with strippers. Picture: Thinkstock Source: Supplied

A HEN'S party mistook police for strippers when the boys in khaki responded to reports of a disturbance at the Humpty Doo Hotel south of Darwin.

The excitable ladies attempted to take the Palmerston police officers shirts off when they entered the bar, Watch Commander Louise Jorgensen said.

"The girls were in fine form and they nearly had their shirts taken off but they managed to escape with their dignity intact," Senior Sergeant Jorgensen said.

Senior Sergeant Bob Harrison said the police were responding to reports that about 10 people at the pub were arguing about 10.40 pm yesterday.

But when they entered they were surrounded by the amorous women.

"They were mistaken for strippers - I don't know any strippers that wear accoutrements belts and turn up in a police car," he said.

Read more in the NT News

View the original article here

Hen's party mistake police for strippers

Female patrons at a Hen's Night at the Humpty Doo Hotel in the Northern Territory confused police officers with strippers. Picture: Thinkstock Source: Supplied

A HEN'S party mistook police for strippers when the boys in khaki responded to reports of a disturbance at the Humpty Doo Hotel south of Darwin.

The excitable ladies attempted to take the Palmerston police officers shirts off when they entered the bar, Watch Commander Louise Jorgensen said.

"The girls were in fine form and they nearly had their shirts taken off but they managed to escape with their dignity intact," Senior Sergeant Jorgensen said.

Senior Sergeant Bob Harrison said the police were responding to reports that about 10 people at the pub were arguing about 10.40 pm yesterday.

But when they entered they were surrounded by the amorous women.

"They were mistaken for strippers - I don't know any strippers that wear accoutrements belts and turn up in a police car," he said.

Read more in the NT News

View the original article here

Hen's party mistake police for strippers

Female patrons at a Hen's Night at the Humpty Doo Hotel in the Northern Territory confused police officers with strippers. Picture: Thinkstock Source: Supplied

A HEN'S party mistook police for strippers when the boys in khaki responded to reports of a disturbance at the Humpty Doo Hotel south of Darwin.

The excitable ladies attempted to take the Palmerston police officers shirts off when they entered the bar, Watch Commander Louise Jorgensen said.

"The girls were in fine form and they nearly had their shirts taken off but they managed to escape with their dignity intact," Senior Sergeant Jorgensen said.

Senior Sergeant Bob Harrison said the police were responding to reports that about 10 people at the pub were arguing about 10.40 pm yesterday.

But when they entered they were surrounded by the amorous women.

"They were mistaken for strippers - I don't know any strippers that wear accoutrements belts and turn up in a police car," he said.

Read more in the NT News

View the original article here

Police probe suspected murder-suicide

POLICE believe a man killed his mother before ending his own life in a suspected murder-suicide on the Gold Coast on Friday.

The body of 53-year-old Margaret Pakatyilla was found in the boot of a car outside her home in Ashmore about 8.30am on April 12 after a relative discovered her son Mark, 28, dead inside the Hillview Pde property.

Police this morning released a statement that said preliminary investigations suggested the death of Mrs Pakatyilla was suspicious however the death of her son was non-suspicious.

A police spokesman could not comment on how the pair died, but said detectives were preparing a report for the State Coroner.

“It’s an ongoing process. Investigations are continuing,” he said.

Anyone with information has been urged to contact the police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

For help, call Lifeline on 131 114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

View the original article here

Hen's party mistake police for strippers

Female patrons at a Hen's Night at the Humpty Doo Hotel in the Northern Territory confused police officers with strippers. Picture: Thinkstock Source: Supplied

A HEN'S party mistook police for strippers when the boys in khaki responded to reports of a disturbance at the Humpty Doo Hotel south of Darwin.

The excitable ladies attempted to take the Palmerston police officers shirts off when they entered the bar, Watch Commander Louise Jorgensen said.

"The girls were in fine form and they nearly had their shirts taken off but they managed to escape with their dignity intact," Senior Sergeant Jorgensen said.

Senior Sergeant Bob Harrison said the police were responding to reports that about 10 people at the pub were arguing about 10.40 pm yesterday.

But when they entered they were surrounded by the amorous women.

"They were mistaken for strippers - I don't know any strippers that wear accoutrements belts and turn up in a police car," he said.

Read more in the NT News

View the original article here

Hen's party mistake police for strippers

Female patrons at a Hen's Night at the Humpty Doo Hotel in the Northern Territory confused police officers with strippers. Picture: Thinkstock Source: Supplied

A HEN'S party mistook police for strippers when the boys in khaki responded to reports of a disturbance at the Humpty Doo Hotel south of Darwin.

The excitable ladies attempted to take the Palmerston police officers shirts off when they entered the bar, Watch Commander Louise Jorgensen said.

"The girls were in fine form and they nearly had their shirts taken off but they managed to escape with their dignity intact," Senior Sergeant Jorgensen said.

Senior Sergeant Bob Harrison said the police were responding to reports that about 10 people at the pub were arguing about 10.40 pm yesterday.

But when they entered they were surrounded by the amorous women.

"They were mistaken for strippers - I don't know any strippers that wear accoutrements belts and turn up in a police car," he said.

Read more in the NT News

View the original article here

Dubai buys $522,000 police car

This image released by the Dubai Police, shows a Lamborghini Aventador, in Dubai. Source: AP

IN A city of boundless bling, Dubai police also are in hot pursuit after adding a nearly $US550,000 ($522,000) Lamborghini to its fleet.

The sports car, painted in green-and-white colours of the Dubai force, will not likely be roaring after law breakers.

Instead, it will be mostly dispatched to tourist areas to show - in the words of deputy police director, General Khamis Matter al-Muzaina - "how classy Dubai is.''

Local media reports on Thursday say the Italian-made Lamborghini Aventador is the crown jewel of a wider upgrade in Dubai police wheels. The force also is adding some American muscle car Camaros.

Dubai seeks to show it has rebounded from its debt crisis with brash plans that include the world's largest Ferris wheel and a satellite city named after the city-state's ruler.
 

Dubai Police's Lamborghini Aventador.

View the original article here

Dubai buys $522,000 police car

This image released by the Dubai Police, shows a Lamborghini Aventador, in Dubai. Source: AP

IN A city of boundless bling, Dubai police also are in hot pursuit after adding a nearly $US550,000 ($522,000) Lamborghini to its fleet.

The sports car, painted in green-and-white colours of the Dubai force, will not likely be roaring after law breakers.

Instead, it will be mostly dispatched to tourist areas to show - in the words of deputy police director, General Khamis Matter al-Muzaina - "how classy Dubai is.''

Local media reports on Thursday say the Italian-made Lamborghini Aventador is the crown jewel of a wider upgrade in Dubai police wheels. The force also is adding some American muscle car Camaros.

Dubai seeks to show it has rebounded from its debt crisis with brash plans that include the world's largest Ferris wheel and a satellite city named after the city-state's ruler.

Dubai Police launch their new patrol car - a $US550,000 Lamborghini Aventador. YouTube/Mark Pendergast/SparkyRadio2.

 

Dubai Police's Lamborghini Aventador.

View the original article here