NSW: Former "tough cop" Rogerson back in jail, for lying

AAP General News (Australia)
02-18-2005
NSW: Former "tough cop" Rogerson back in jail, for lying

By Kim Arlington

SYDNEY, Feb 18 AAP - Roger Rogerson hasn't always played by the rules, but lying to
the police watchdog today earned the notorious former NSW detective another two and a
half years in jail.

The 64-year-old was sentenced after pleading guilty in Downing Centre District Court
to one count of giving false evidence to the Police Integrity Commission (PIC) in May
1999.

His wife, Anne Melocco, is serving two years' periodic detention for the same offence.

They were charged after falsely claiming to know nothing about bribes allegedly received
by Liverpool City Council's purchasing manager, Sam Masri, from contractors tendering
for council work.

Judge Peter Berman said lying to the PIC was a serious crime that undermined its ability
to weed out corruption.

Rogerson had time to consider his actions before deciding to lie, he said.

"This was not some spur of the-moment decision which he immediately regretted," Judge
Berman said.

"It seems that the offender was upset at being called to give evidence and had no respect
for the way the commission operated.

"That, plus the desire not to get Mr Masri into trouble, appears to have been what
motivated the offender's lying."

The judge said Rogerson "has at times acted in a way which suggests he does not accept
that he is obliged to play by the rules".

It's the ex-cop's second stint in prison, having served three years in the early 1990s
for conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

Since then he has earned a living partly as an entertainer, recounting police exploits
on stage with Mark "Chopper" Read and ex-Aussie Rules footballer, Mark "Jacko" Jackson.

Judge Berman said Rogerson "passes on the message that things were better in the olden
days, when police officers were not hamstrung by the need to act strictly in accordance
with their lawful obligations".

Rogerson faced up to five years' jail but the judge considered his guilty plea and
evidence of good character when jailing him for a maximum two and a half years.

Rogerson's sentence was also reduced because of the three-year delay in charging him
and the extra hardship he would suffer under protection in jail.

Although there was evidence Rogerson was remorseful only because he was caught and
faced punishment "he realises lying to the PIC was simply the wrong thing to do", Judge
Berman said.

He said Rogerson served with distinction before he was dismissed from the police force
in 1984 and "there is much about Mr Rogerson's life about which he is entitled to be proud".

"I'm satisfied that the offender does have good prospects for rehabilitation," he said.

Judge Berman ordered Rogerson to serve at least a year behind bars, becoming eligible
for parole on February 17, 2006.

Rogerson hugged Melocco outside the court before learning his fate.

She refused to comment after her husband was jailed.

His lawyer, Paul Kenny, said jail would be tough on Rogerson, who suffered a suspected
stroke and was hospitalised with severe depression last year.

"Roger used to be a tough guy - these days he's just a broken down old man," Mr Kenny said.

"He's a hard man completely broken by the system."

Mr Kenny would not say whether the sentence would be appealed.

"As soon as Mr and Mrs Rogerson have served their sentences they just want to pack
up and leave NSW," he said.

AAP ka/jel/sp

KEYWORD: ROGERSON NIGHTLEAD (PIX AVAILABLE)

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