Anthony Raymond Lauer, APM (19 December 1935 – 30 November 2022) was an Australian police officer who served as the Commissioner of the New South Wales Police from 1991 until 1996. In February 1996, Lauer's term ended in controversy with his resignation soon after the start of the Wood Royal Commission into police corruption.[1][2][3]
Tony Lauer | |
|---|---|
| 18th Commissioner of the New South Wales Police | |
| In office 13 March 1991 – 19 February 1996 | |
| Preceded by | John Avery |
| Succeeded by | Peter Ryan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 19 December 1935 Newcastle, New South Wales |
| Died | 30 November 2022 (aged 86) |
| Spouse | Joy Stock |
| Alma mater | University of Sydney |
Education
editTony Lauer was born in Newcastle, New South Wales, on 19 December 1935 and educated at Penrith High School, University of Sydney, Australian Police Staff College, and the FBI Academy at Quantico, Virginia. Lauer was also a graduate of the FBI's 17th National Executive Institute.
Involvement in the police force
editLauer served with the New South Wales Police Force for forty-one years, as a General Duty uniform officer, Traffic Patrol cyclist, and in a wide range of criminal investigation duties. During his police service, Lauer had held the appointments of Chief Superintendent in Charge, Criminal Investigation Branch; Assistant Commissioner, Professional Responsibility; and Deputy Commissioner, State Commander.
Lauer succeeded to the position of Commissioner of Police, after the retirement of Commissioner John Avery, in March 1991. In February 1996, Lauer's term ended in controversy with his resignation soon after the start of the Wood Royal Commission into police corruption. He had stated, among other areas of the force, that the Kings Cross patrol was free of corruption, only for the Royal Commission to find that it was in fact extremely corrupt.[1][2][4] Peter Ryan succeeded him in the position.
Lauer was a past President of the Police Association of NSW and was made a Life Member of the Association in 1983. He served as a member of the Police Board of NSW, the Operation Review Committee of the Independent Commission Against Corruption, and the Management Committee of the State Crime Commission. He was a Director of Police Bank Ltd. He was also a member of the Remuneration Committee and the Credit Committee of that Bank.[5] He also serves as a Legator with Police Legacy.
Awards and personal life
editLauer underwent training in the Australian Army with the 19th National Service Training Battalion, Holsworthy, in 1957.
Lauer was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International in 1994. He was a long-standing Freemason, and served as Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory from 2004 to 2006.[6][7]
Lauer married Joy Stock in 1955; they had four children and numerous grandchildren.
| Australian Police Medal (APM) | 1990 Australia Day Honours[8] | |
| Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal | 1977 | |
| National Medal | 1992[9] | |
| Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal & 1 Bars | ||
| Anniversary of National Service 1951–1972 Medal | 2002[10] |
Notes
edit- ^ a b New South Wales Government Police Integrity Commission.
- ^ a b Dodkin, p.138.
- ^ "ANTHONY RAYMOND LAUER". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
- ^ Milliken, Robert (16 January 1996). "Police chief resigns in wake of corruption and bribery inquiry". The Irish Times. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
- ^ http://www.policebank.com.au/about/board-of-directors/ [bare URL]
- ^ "Governor-General's Program". Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
- ^ Stewart-Moore, Tom. "Freemasons". abc.net.au. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
- ^ Australian Police Medal, It's an Honour, 26 January 1990.
- ^ National Medal, It's an Honour, 13 April 1992.
- ^ Anniversary of National Service 1951 – 1972 Medal, It's an Honour, 18 January 2002.
References
edit- Dodkin, Marilyn (2003) Bob Carr: The Reluctant Leader, University of New South Wales Press.
- New South Wales Government Police Integrity Commission (1 May 1997) Royal Commission Reports, Ch. 1, 3, 4. (PDF)