A must read book

[bob10]

Three crooked Kings, by Matthew Condon. Just finished reading it. From the back cover;

" It was the genius of the system...from day to day you didn't know who was on the take or not. You didn't know who you could trust. "

" Three crooked Kings is the shocking true story of Qld. & how a society was shaped by almost half a century of corruption. At its core is Terry Lewis, deposed & jailed former police commissioner. From his entry into the force in 1949, Lewis rose through the ranks, becoming part of the so-called rat pack with detectives Glen Hallahan & Tony Murphy under the guiding influence of Frank Bischof.
The next four decades make for a searing tale of cops & killings, bagmen & blackmail, & sin & sleaze that exposes a police underworld that operated from Qld. to NSW. . This gripping book examines the final pieces of the puzzle, unearths new evidence on cold cases, and explores the pivotal role that whistleblower Shirley Brifman, prostitute & brothel owner, played until her sudden death.
Based on extensive & unprecedented access to Terry Lewis & his personal papers, as well as hundreds of interviews with key players & conspirators, Three Crooked Kings is the first of two explosive books. "

It is an eye-opener a must read for modern Qld & NSW at the very least. Bob

[bobslandies]

Have a read of Ray Whitrod's experience while Police Commissioner in Queensland (after being Assistant Director of ASIO, Commissioner of the Commonwealth Police and Royal Papua & New Guinea Constabulary) and Lewis' rise to Commissioner:

Ray Whitrod - Interview Transcript tape 1

There's many revelations in the twelve transcripts, including that Ray was worried about being murdered and was armed at all times and that his own records all "went missing" after he resigned and was moving back to Canberra (That's in Transcript 10). Lots of reading if you have the time.

Bob

[Chucaro]

The sad part about reading books like this is that we never learn from the past and very often history repeat itself
Some of this histories are close to the Italian politics

[bob10]

Have a read of Ray Whitrod's experience while Police Commissioner in Queensland (after being Assistant Director of ASIO, Commissioner of the Commonwealth Police and Royal Papua & New Guinea Constabulary) and Lewis' rise to Commissioner:

Ray Whitrod - Interview Transcript tape 1

There's many revelations in the twelve transcripts, including that Ray was worried about being murdered and was armed at all times and that his own records all "went missing" after he resigned and was moving back to Canberra (That's in Transcript 10). Lots of reading if you have the time.

Bob

The last paragraph of the book reads: "The Premier needed a catalyst to set in train the removal of the Queensland Police Commissioner, And within months of meeting Lewis, Joh would be gifted not one but two scandals that would see Raymond Wells Whitrod resign, and, in fear of his life, flee Qld forever." No one comes out smelling like roses. The story continues in " All Fell Down " coming in late 2013, Bob

[digger]

Ray WHITROD started here in SA (he was brought up here and joined the job here as a juvenile recruit).

I met him a number of years ago ( like 20 odd !) and he was a gentlemen, very much a straight shooter and adament that what he had done had needed to be done and he'd do the same again if needed.

As I said a true gentlemen. He died 9 or 10 years ago.

[bob10]

Ray WHITROD started here in SA (he was brought up here and joined the job here as a juvenile recruit).

I met him a number of years ago ( like 20 odd !) and he was a gentlemen, very much a straight shooter and adament that what he had done had needed to be done and he'd do the same again if needed.

As I said a true gentlemen. He died 9 or 10 years ago.

Would you like me to send you the book? I think you would appreciate it, Bob

[mox]

Something that indicates how corruptable former Qld Police Commissioner Terry Lewis was before being exposed and deposed: Apparently then NSW Premier Nifty Nev wanted him as Police Commissioner in NSW!

[bob10]

Something that indicates how corruptable former Qld Police Commissioner Terry Lewis was before being exposed and deposed: Apparently then NSW Premier Nifty Nev wanted him as Police Commissioner in NSW!

I have a friend, who runs a Private Investigation firm in Brisbane. He worked for Customs, then was part of the Drug Squad in Melbourne, after that was part of the Drug Squad in Qld., working undercover. We have a group of friends, that get together with our families for Xmas drinks, just a catch up type of thing. A year or two back, at the local RSL, my family & I walked in, and there , sitting at the table, was Terry Lewis, and wife, Hazel. Lewis was just like some ones favourite Grandfather, quite, polite, a gentleman. I Don't know the relationship between Lewis & my friend, and I am never going to ask. Especially now I have read this book. Bob

[wrinklearthur]

Is there anything to be gained by someone from Tasmania, reading the book?
.

[digger]

Would you like me to send you the book? I think you would appreciate it, Bob

Thanks, I appreciate the offer but I mainly read more about war service (mainly accounts of Aussie service) or matters similar in nature, peacekeeping, infantry, air, naval etc its all good I quite like the personal accounts and styles (like the peter fitzgerald books)

I also like some others,
jason mccartneys inspirational story about his getting back to AFL level after the Bali Bombing

Sir Sidney Kidmans story - The cattle King.

rm williams, stuff like that.

Thanks anyway!