Police chief was a drunk, says inquiry witness

Press, 25 February 1988, Page 8

Police chief was a drunk, says inquiry witness

NZPA-AAP Brisbane The Cairns regional police superintendent, Kevin Dorries, was a drunk who made scenes in a hotel and drove while under the influence of liquor, the Fitzgerald Inquiry heard yesterday. Sergeant Richard Metcalfe made the allegation, saying he had told Acting Police Commissioner, Ron Redmond, about Mr Dorries’ “personal behaviour.”

Asked by a solicitor, Michael O’Connor, appearing for Mr Dorries, what the personal behaviour was, Mr Metcalfe replied: “I don’t wish to bring this up at this Commission.”

When again asked, he replied that Mr Dorries was “an alcoholic and in fact a drunk.”

He said the media and

public had complained about Mr Dorries, and the staff of one hotel once complained there was a drunk in their bar “who was claiming to be a superintendent of police and would we come and get him.” There also had been complaints that “Mr Dorries makes statements in the paper about drink driving and he’s one of the worst offenders in Cairns.” Sergeant Metcalfe said he had been asked by policemen who had seen Mr Dorries driving under the influence whether they should arrest him. In evidence yesterday, Sergeant Metcalfe said Mr Dorries told him an illegal casino in Cairns should be allowed to operate because the Government wanted it to.