Trevor ” Boe ” Cullen is a current serving member of NSWPF.
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Trevor was also a qualified commercial pilot and possibly ferried planes across the Pacific Ocean from the USA to Australia.
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PASSING OF TREVOR JOHN CULLEN – GOLD COAST BRANCH STALWART:
Trevor John CULLEN was a member of the Gold Coast Branch of Retired Police Association ( R.P.A. ) for some sixteen years and was held in high esteem by all who knew him and enjoyed his company over many years. Trevor had always been a most regular attendee at our Branch meetings for many years – but due to serious ill health had not been in attendance for a considerable time.
Trevor Cullen was a Detective for most of his service and enjoyed a reputation as an investigator of some renown, whose ability and analytical skills resulted in numerous criminal convictions including for the horrendous crime of murder. I had the pleasure of working with Trevor Cullen as the junior detective on several murder cases and I admired both his investigative skills and his tenacious commitment in bringing criminals to justice.
Trevor ultimately passed away on the 10 November and was subsequently laid to rest on the 18th November. At his funeral John KING, Bob COOLEY and Brian LANDON most honourably represented our Branch – with the floral tribute and eulogy being delivered by his former workmate and close friend Graeme ROSS.
The sincere condolences of all branch members are extended to his dear wife Laurel and his family.
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Graeme David FARRELL
| 21/11/2016
Graeme David FARRELL
aka Spook
New South Wales Police Force
[alert_yellow]Regd. # 14174[/alert_yellow]
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 22 June 1970
Constable 1st Class – appointed 22 June 1975
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 27 April 1986 – retirement
Fred may have also have lived, as a lad, at 19 Atchison St, Wollongong and worked at Wollongong Police Station or the Wollongong Police Boys Club.
In the South Coast Times & Wollongong Argus, dated Monday 4 October 1954, page 5, Constable Fred Pitchford is mentioned at a dance at Wollongong Police Boys’ Club Ball as having decorated the hall and attending the Ball with his wife ( no Christian name mentioned for her ).
In Illawarra Daily Mercury on Wednesday 11 April 1951, page 9, Mr & Mrs Fred Pitchford of Fernhill ( Wollongong ) are mentioned having a son & heir born at the Bulli Hospital on Friday – being named Keith Frederick Pitchford.
In the Illawarra Daily Mercury ( Wollongong ) on Monday 28 August 1950, page 12, a Fred Pitchford is mentioned ( no age ) as playing baseball at Stuart Park for Woonona.
A Fred Pitchford is also mentioned as an Usher at the wedding of a sister – Dorothea May Pitchford – of 19 Atchison St, Wollongong. Parents being Mr & Mrs. W. J. Pitchford of that address. This appears in the South Coast Times & Wollongong Argus on Friday 10 September 1943, page 9.
15 year old Fred was mentioned in the South Coast Times @ Wollongong Argus on Friday 17 May 1940 as being a 15 year old who fractured his left collarbone and sustained head injuries & a sprained left wrist, when he fell from a bicycle in Crown St, and being admitted to hospital.
From 1970 – 1993, Frederick William Pitchford of various addresses around Tathra, is mentioned in Government Gazette of NSW under the Fisheries and Oyster Farms Act, 1935, as owner of various oyster leases.
BIRTHDAY BOY: Sue Cotterill and Wendy Dunn help long-time Tathra resident Fred Pitchford celebrate his 92nd birthday on October 28 with family and friends.
A TATHRA man has been awarded the 20-year Police Medal, 28 years after he qualified.
Fred Pitchford was presented with his medal by Inspector Jason Edmunds at his home in Tathra last week.
The award was made after the New South Wales police decided to retrospectively recognise former sworn officers for their “diligent and ethical service”.
The medal is not given by virtue of long service, but on merit.
After working in Bega between 1968 and 1977 as a Second Class Sergeant (comparable to today’s Senior Sergeant) Mr Pitchford was discharged medically unfit from the force in 1980 and retired to Tathra.
Mr Pitchford had suffered severe ankle injuries that came from an accident after “arresting a couple of blokes” but mainly from kick-starting the old police Triumph motorbikes he rode.
Eventually, after nine operations on his ankle, doctors decided there was nothing further they could do and with complications arising, amputated his right leg below the knee.
At the presentation with family and friends, Mr Pitchford told of his experiences in Bega and the way policing then was completely different to today.
Mr Pitchford was in charge of the highway patrol and had 13 officers who were on the roads from Batemans Bay to the Victorian border.
There was one motorbike officer who was in Eden and lived in Wyndham, but the others were in cars and driving was not what it is now.
“For instance some of the roads were unmade and even the highways were nowhere near as good,” Mr Pitchford said.
“We drove Studebaker cars and then the Mini Cooper S, which really handled well on the winding roads.”
According to Mr Pitchford, the four men in Bega were very conscientious and drivers were certainly aware of their presence.
“They gave out between 200-250 tickets a month each,” he said.
Inspector Edmunds said it was an “absolute pleasure” to present Mr Pitchford with the medal.
“It is really important we don’t forget our history,” he said.
“And that we recognise the importance of all those years Fred served on behalf of the local community.”
After receiving the medal Mr Pitchford said it didn’t matter that it came 28 years after retirement, it was “just good to have it”.
“I always worked as well as I could so I am absolutely thrilled,” he said.
“It’s good to know they still think about the old fellas.”
Yet another wedding anniversary, their 54th, for Fred and Raynor Pitchford of Tathra and they celebrated it together at the Harbourmaster on a balmy evening.
Fred has a broken foot, but it is not as bad as it sounds!
With a “gammy” leg made partly of a plaster compound, Fred has to go downstairs backwards!
As he was performing this ritual recently he missed a step and broke his foot – the “gammy” one!
So it is not as bad as it sounds and Fred is still laughing.
For the record, before joining the police force from which, of course, he is retired, Fred was a menswear salesman with the Sykes family at Wollongong.
Legs on show
Talking of legs, there we were three of us blocking the footpath of Carp Street with only four legs between us!
How come, you ask?
Well, there was Fred Pitchford minus most of one leg, Chrissy Farrow minus more than half of one leg and resplendent in her comfy scooter and yours truly, fortunately with two legs!
And all as happy as sandpipers as pedestrians weaved around us, all with happy greetings.
Truth (Sydney, NSW : 1894 – 1954), Sunday 25 April 1954, page 2
Police swoop on Mascot
A squad of Commonwealth Security men and police swooped on the overseas passengers’ terminal at Mascot airport last night 40 minutes before the Qantas airliner left for London.
It is presumed they were tipped off that Russian Embassy members, or the missing Tass agency correspondent, Mr. Antonov, and his wife, might be leaving — but there was no sign of the Russians. Police Inspector Denton, followed by a Crown Sergeant, walked across the waiting room, followed by Security men, who followed in pairs. The Security men took up positions at the rail and gate leading on to the tarmac, and the inspector walked alone to the plane’s gangway and spoke with two constables and an air ways official.
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), Friday 21 November 1952 (No.250), page 4174
APPOINTMENTS.
Premier’s Department
HIS Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, has approved of the appointment of Sergeant 1st Class William James Denton to the rank of Inspector 3rd Class, on and from the 14th October, 1952.
J. J. CAHILL, Premier. Department pf the Attorney-General and of Justice.
POCKRAN:
The Funeral Service for the late Mr William (Bill) Norman Morrison Pockran of Rockingham, will be conducted in Our Chapel, 69 Dixon Rd, Rockingham at 10.30am on MONDAY (07.11.2016).
A Private Cremation will follow.
69 DIXON ROAD ROCKINGHAM 9528 1244 chipperfunerals.com.au
“POCKRAN William Norman (Bill): Born: 28.4.1942 Died:…”
– William POCKRAN
Published in: The West Australian
POCKRAN
William Norman (Bill):
Born: 28.4.1942
Died: 30.10.2016
Husband of Jean Pockran (dec).
Father of Ryan, Matthew and Greg.
Poppy to Darcy, Chloe, Alecs and Brock.
Peace at last for a character of Rockingham.
RIP Blutac Bill…
Thank you to the staff at Armadale Hospital, Bethany and Silver Chain. Your love and attention was greatly appreciated.
Published in The West Australian on Nov. 2, 2016
Monday, 7 November 2016
POCKRAN William (Bill):
We’ll miss you Bill. A real character, we’ve had lots of laughs and debates with you over the years. Rest in Peace old mate. Pat
Published in: The West Australian
– See more at: http://www.legacy.com/guestbooks/thewest-au/william-pockran-condolences/182243841?cid=full#sthash.7CljBNED.dpuf
Rockingham disabled man Bill Pockran, who had his gopher stolen last week, is overwhelmed by kindness and donations from strangers, receiving a replacement scooter at the weekend. Picture: Hayley Goddard
A wheelchair-bound Rockingham man who was left “trapped” in his house after his gopher was stolen last week has been overwhelmed by the generosity of strangers.
Bill Pockran, who requires dialysis three times a week, has had a rough year dealing with the death of his mother, wife and dog, the theft of his only mode of transport and almost $10,000 hacked from his bank accounts.
The news that several strangers wanted to donate him a replacement gopher or fundraise money to help, far outweighed his expectations.
“The response has been wonderful – I’m just so appreciative of what people and police have done and how they’ve wanted to help,” Mr Pockran said.
“It’s great to see there are caring people in the world – it’s a wonderful feeling and I feel much better than I did last week.
“I felt deserted on an island – my independence was gone.
“How can you do this to someone who is defenceless?”
Police South Metropolitan Community Engagement Unit Sergeant Paul Trimble said the theft was a “gutless” act and hoped people with information could come forward about the whereabouts of the 73-year-old man’s canopied scooter.
The ex-NSW policeman lost his leg in 1969 while on duty riding a police motorcycle which malfunctioned. Mr Pockran said doctors believed years of taking chronic pain medication had caused his kidneys to deteriorate.
He said he was in talks with his bank about how to get the money back.
Sgt Trimble urged anyone with information to contact 131 444.
“It’s unbelievable how people can target the elderly,” he said. “Most people in the community would agree this is a gutless act.”
Another scenario dealt with by Police on a regular basis. I feel for this man that has lost his independence, his only mode of transport, gone! because of a thoughtless act of thievery. I f anyone knows something about this please let police know. As a community working together lets help get this man his gopher back.
GOPHER STOLEN
A wheel-chair bound Rockingham man has been left “trapped” in his house after his gopher was stolen on Sunday night. Police South Metropolitan Community Engagement Unit Sergeant Paul Trimble said the theft was a “gutless” act and hoped people with information could come forward about the whereabouts of a 75-year-old man’s only mode of transport. Bill Pockran, who requires dialysis three times a week, has had a rough year dealing with the death of his mother, wife and dog, and now the theft of his gopher and about $1200 hacked from his bank account. “I’m devastated, I’ve only got $2.48 to last the fortnight,” he said. “How can you do this to someone who is selfless and defenseless?“I feel deserted on an island – my independence is gone. “I’m stranded and can’t get out for a coffee at the beach.” The ex-NSW policeman lost his leg in 1969 while on duty riding a police motorcycle which malfunctioned. Mr Pockran said doctors believed years of taking chronic pain medication had caused his kidneys to deteriorate. He said he was in talks with his bank about how to get the money back but would need to check with his son, his power of attorney, about the insurance on his gopher. Sgt. Trimble urged anyone with information to contact 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. “It’s unbelievable how people can target the elderly,” he said. “Most people in the community would agree this is a gutless act.” This article and photograph was supplied by the Sound Telegraph
A wheel-chair bound Rockingham man has been left “trapped” in his house after his gopher was stolen on Sunday night. Police South Metropolitan Community Engagement Unit Sergeant Paul Trimble said the theft was a “gutless” act and hoped people with information could come forward about the whereabouts of a 75-year-old man’s only mode of transport. Bill Pockran, who requires dialysis three times a week, has had a rough year dealing with the death of his mother, wife and dog, and now the theft of his gopher and about $1200 hacked from his bank account.
“I’m devastated, I’ve only got $2.48 to last the fortnight,” he said.
“How can you do this to someone who is selfless and defenseless?“I feel deserted on an island – my independence is gone.
“I’m stranded and can’t get out for a coffee at the beach.” The ex-NSW policeman lost his leg in 1969 while on duty riding a police motorcycle which malfunctioned.
Mr Pockran said doctors believed years of taking chronic pain medication had caused his kidneys to deteriorate.
He said he was in talks with his bank about how to get the money back but would need to check with his son, his power of attorney, about the insurance on his gopher.
Sgt. Trimble urged anyone with information to contact 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
“It’s unbelievable how people can target the elderly,” he said.
“Most people in the community would agree this is a gutless act.” This article and photograph was supplied by the Sound Telegraph.
Kerrie MayallOmg. this man is so lovely I remember he use to ride his gopha and have his lovely little dog walk by his side. I would love to help bill please let us know what we can do.
Melissa HoodWould love to help, please let us know any way we can donate to buy him a new one. That man worked to protect his community and lost his leg and way of life for doing so. Now it’s our turn to help him.
Trish MoultonPoor man. He has had a rough deal in life. Pls let us know how we can help this person. My mum was 98 n her gopher got stolen from her garage. It’s effect on her was devestating. All the best mate. Hope someone donates a gopher to u or we can raise enough Money for u to purchase another.
Butsy RJI can guarantee there will be a quick whip around at the local police station to buy a new one for this ex police officer from NSW. Sad story. What low life would steal it????
Alan FlannoAny crackhead looking for something to flog for their next fix. They’re always stealing anything they can get their filthy hands on to make some cash to fund the habit
Anthony Fess ParkerGive us a place to donate & I will be happy to put a few dollars in Cheers Fess Parker Ex W.A Traffic (6144) or e-mail me fess152@bigpond.net.au & scammers don’t even think about it – I wasn’t born yesterday, as a former member of the SAS Regiment & a former W.A Police Officer I will hunt you down. Don’t worry Bill we will look after you, Live down your way Cheers Fess Parker
Kelly WilsonWhen the cops catch them I hope they go hard on this nasty person that’s so gutless.I feel for ppl like this.hope everything turns out gd.xxxx
Rani SaxenaPoor man when they catch those low life’s I would like to spend 5 mins with them on my own give them a what for. I may not be able to walk or stand much but oh boy I give them something. How dare they hurt someone like that
Kate FennellWhat sort of scum bag would do that. Being in an electric chair being without it will make his life impossible, I hope his is either returned or funds can be raised really quickly to replace his.
Shelly JovanovicThat us just awful that poor man what revolting people to steal something like that bloody scum bags hope he gets another real soon good luck mate
Barbara HeatonPoor man, hope everything returns out ok and they get the low life scums that did this. As if he not going though enough at the moment.
Each day I lost a bit of faith in humanity.
What have we become.Thank goodness there are still good people out there that can restore it..
Betty HewitsonThere is no respect for the elderly ,they get robbed beaten ,About time the law did something about it ,our Police do their best ,hope whoever stole the gopher, gives it back ,
Jane OldfieldMaybe if we want to donate money to help Bill Pockran we can maybe contact the police station and speak to the officer Sargent Paul Trimble Rockingham police station WA . About how you go about sending a donation .
Caroline DavidsonHas any one found out where we could donate money to this beautiful man woulf really like to help him get on his feet..hope tge lowlifes that have done this will get karma back on them 10 times over..
Clair SuttonContact Rockingham Police Station and ask for Sergeant Trimble. A few people have done this today already. Hopefully we can help this guy out in any way possible.
Jarrad BarryWhere about a is he? I’ve got a couple of days off till I’m away for a month then back again so if he needs any help with getting around I’m more than happy to do so!
Carol BascombeI hope when they catch these gutless Bsssssssssss that you name an shame on face book for us all to see. It seems to be happening so much. They are gutless an cowards
Gem CatThis is beyond awful, I cannot begin to understand how someone could target someone like this. Definitely keen to donate too, a gofundme page or the like would be great! Please let us know
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on Monday 23 January 1978 ( aged 20 years & 15 days )
Probationary Constable – appointed 3 April 1978 ( aged 20 years, 2 months, 26 days )
Does NOT appear in the 1988 Stud Book.
Final Rank = ?
Stations: ?, Gladesville ( 1980s ), Albury,
Service: From? ? pre April 1978 to? ? pre 1988? = ? years Service
Awards: No find on It’s An Honour
Born: Wednesday 8 January 1958
Died on: Wednesday 9 November 2016
Age: 58 years, 10 months, 1 day
Cause: Heart attack
Funeral date: ?TBA
Funeral location: ?TBA
Buried at: ?TBA
Memorial at: ?
Class 158C – Redfern Police Academy Back Row: R.S. HANSEN, T. HAYWARD, P.A. HARRIS, D.W. HODSON, ALLAN R. GROGAN, P.F.J. HERRING, K.R. HAIGH, MARTIN P. KILLEN # 17965 ( son of FRANK ), M.W. KEENE, P.J. HAYNE Middle Row: W.E. ( WAYNE ) JOHNSON, G.L. GRUMLEY, OWEN I. JENNINGS ( RIP ), T.R. HILL, S.S. HORDEN, B.J. HAYLOCK, P.M. HOPPER, C.R. GREENTREE, J. JOBSON Front Row: P.R.( DUTCHY ) HOLLAND, David L. JOACHIM ( R.I.P. ), R.C. HOWARD, T.R. HANSON, L.J. DAVEY, M. HUMPHRIES, L.I. JONES, A.J. HAMILSTON, P.A. KENNEDY, B.J. GRIMALDI
Eternal safe riding
OWEN is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
Funeral location: ?TBA
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
********VALE OWEN JENNINGS BLA******
This is a modified post from another FB Page
and penned by Michael Turek Nation VP Blue Liners Australia
It is with the heaviest heart that I inform the group that Blue Liners Australia Member Owen Jennings passed away last night. Owen was staying at a motel in Albury in anticipation of meeting the rest of us for breakfast tomorrow morning prior to our 2 day ride over the Vic Alps to Dartmouth via Lakes Entrance.
Last night Owen experienced chest pains and dialled triple zero. When the ambulance arrived he was in cardiac arrest and they were unable to save him.
Thoughts, prayers and sincere condolences to all his family and friends at this very sad time.
As soon as I am advised of funeral details I will pass them on.
Apologies to the few I tried to contact personally without success before posting here.
RIP mate
Brian Robert MURPHY
| 21/11/2016
Brian Robert MURPHY
aka Murph
NSW Goulburn Police Academy Class 224
New South Wales Police Force
Uniform # 6644
Regd. # 23279
Rank: Commence Training at Goulburn Police Academy on 10 November 1986 ( aged 31 years, 10 months, 5 days )
Probationary Constable – appointed 6 February 1987 ( aged 32 years, 1 month, 1 day )
Constable – appointed 6 February 1988
Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank: Senior Constable
Stations: Only stationed at Albury – Intelligence Office – death
Service: From 10 November 1986to 7 November 2016=19+years Service
Awards: No find on It’s An Honour
Born: Wednesday 5 January 1955
Died on: Monday 7 November 2016
Age: 61 years, 10 months, 2 days
Cause: Short illness
Event location: Albury Base Hospital, NSW
Funeral date: Thursday 10 November 2016 @ 2pm
Funeral location: the Chapel, John Hossack Funeral Services, 435 Wilson St, Albury, NSW
Buried at: Cremated – Ashes with family
Memorial at: ?
Murray River RFPA and Murray River Police District have been working together for some time to establish a memorial to commemorate officers who passed whilst serving. Today ( Police Remembrance Day – 29 September 2021 ) the Virtual Dedication Ceremony was held and the plaque unveiled in Albury Police Station Conference Room in the Church. Many thanks to Supt Paul Smith APM MRPD, Commander & Paul Cole, Assistant Secretary, MR RFPA for their work together to bring about this outcome. We will remember them. Lest we forget.
BRIAN is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
Funeral location:
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Awards: M.I.D. ( Mentioned in Despatches) NCA ( No Citation Available ) Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 21 June 1945 Page 1353, position 54
[/blockquote]
Awards: King’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air – granted 1 January 1945
Queen’s Police Medal ( QPM ) – granted 11 June 1966
The Order of the British Empire – Commander ( Civil ) ( CBE(C)) – granted 1 January 1974
Born: Tuesday 26 May 1914 in Orange, NSW
Died on: Sunday 26 October 1980 in Terrigal, NSW ( his home )
Age: 66 years, 5 months, 0 days
Cause: Suicide – Carbon Monoxide poisoning
Funeral date: ?
Funeral location: ?
Buried at: Cremated
Memorial at: Police Rugby League competition ( 1970 ) Fred Hanson Shield.
Former NSW Police Commissioner, Fred Hanson, gives an address in Sydney. Picture published 9 July 1986. SMH Picture by Staff
Our photograph shows Sgt Ellis Noack presenting the 1972 premiership Trophy to the then patron of the club, NSW Police Commissioner, Fred Hanson.
The Original 1946 NSW Police Flight or “Flying Squad” with the Avro “Nemesis”. Two future NSW Police Commissioners are here: (from left to right) Senior Constable M.T. Wood (Commissioner 1977-79), Constables H.D.Johnson and D.Paul. Flight Commander, Sgt. F.J. Hanson (Commissioner 1972-1976), Detective S/C V.Murphy and Constables E.D. Baldwin and F.E. Hyland.
FRED is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Frederick Hanson was born the eldest of four children to Ernest Frederick Hanson and Vera Marie Hanson. He did not remain in Orange for long before moving to Burwood where he was educated at the Christian Brother’s Saint Mary’s Boy’s School. He became a jeweller’s assistant before being hired as a porter with the New South Wales Government Railways. Hanson joined the New South Wales Police on 7 September 1936 at the age of 22 and the next year was posted to Broken Hill where, in the Sacred Heart Cathedral, he married Carole Louise Whitehall with Catholic rites on 9 November 1938. In 1940 Hanson was transferred to plain clothes duties.[1]
Military service
Hanson served in the Citizen Air Force from 1932 to 1936 and obtained a private pilot licence in 1939. On 31 January 1942 he was transferred to the Royal Australian Air Force. Commissioned on 14 January 1943, Hanson served as a pilot in Britain, the Middle East and Ceylon (Sri Lanka), and was mentioned in despatches. On 30 January 1946 he was demobilized as acting squadron leader and returned to the police.[1]
Policing career
Hanson was promoted to the rank of Constable (first class) while on active service and briefly posted to the vice squad before being transferred to the police air wing as Sergeant (third class).
Such rapid advancement in an organization which was committed to seniority based promotion resulted in a number of appeals. The first appeal was rejected and the remainder were withdrawn which allowed Hanson to overtake more than a thousand other police on the seniority list. After this he became known as ‘Slippery’.
The air wing was disbanded in 1950 and Hanson then moved to the new Number 21 Mobile Division.
He returned to Broken Hill in 1953 and was promoted to Sergeant (first class) in 1955.
Hanson served as an Inspector (third class) and also officer in charge at Bega (1959–62) and Wollongong (1962–64) before moving to the Metropolitan Police District as a Superintendent (third class).
After attendance at the Australian Police College in 1963, Hanson rose to Superintendent (first class) and Assistant Metropolitan Superintendent in 1967.[1]
Hanson was appointed Assistant Commissioner in 1968, Deputy Commissioner on 14 January 1972 and Commissioner on 15 November 1972.
That year he also attended the general assembly of the International Criminal Police Organization at Frankfurt, Germany.
In 1974 he visited the Australian police contingent at Cyprus.
While Commissioner Hanson introduced merit rating, abolished seniority in executive promotions and also established the crime intelligence unit.
By objecting to New South Wales Police Association attempts to gain greater access to the Industrial Commission of New South Wales he sparked contention.
Hanson gained widespread support in 1975 when he initiated aggressive street patrols to counter hoodlum activity, however he failed to control illegal gambling which was to become a major public issue.
In 1976 Hanson sued the then Australian Broadcasting Commission for defamation when it had been suggested that he had a financial interest in an illegal casino situated at Gosford; the case was later settled out of court.[1]
Retirement
Pressured to resign after adverse publicity, he delayed doing so until he was replaced in 1976 by his preferred successor and air wing colleagueMervyn Wood.
Further allegations of corruption were made against Hanson in the 1980s.
Hanson was a modest however humorous man, he kept his family life extremely private. He was a noted practical joker and esteemed by his subordinates for his genuine interest in their welfare, his readiness to delegate responsibility and his unwillingness to be hindered by red tape.
Survived by his wife, Hanson died from carbon monoxide poisoning by inhalation on the night of 25 to 26 October 1980 at his Terrigal home; the Coroner dispensed with an inquest and Hanson was cremated.[1]
Corruption allegations
There were persistent allegations about Hanson’s involvement in organised crime, and was repeatedly claimed that he corruptly received payments from criminals and that he was the part-owner of an illegal casino at Gosford, in which former detective Ray “Gunner” Kelly is also alleged to have had an interest.
Hanson featured prominently in The Prince and the Premier, the 1985 book by investigative journalist David Hickie, which canvassed allegations of corruption against senior NSW government officials, including Premier Robert Askin and senior police including Norman Allan, Hanson and Merv Wood.
Hickie specifically named both Allan and Hanson as corrupt, stating that they knowingly allowed illegal casinos and illegal SP (off-track) betting to flourish in NSW. Citing an “impeccable” and highly placed source within the illegal gaming empire established by Perc Galea, Hickie alleged that Askin and his police commissioners, Allan and Hanson, were paid bribes amounting to A$100,000 per year from 1967 until Askin’s retirement.[2]
Another of Hickie’s informants, a former croupier at Galea’s Double Bay Bridge Club, claimed that A$5000 per week from the club was paid in bribes to Hanson and Askin.[3] Hickie also notes that Hanson was among the mourners at Galea’s funeral in 1976.[4]
In 1979John Hatton, an independent politician claimed in the New South Wales Parliament that Askin and Hanson knew of and may have even encouraged the penetration of Australian crime by “overseas mobsters, gangsters and the Mafia“.[citation needed]
