A final report into a senior police officer in Tasmania who took his own life while being investigated has found he groomed more than 50 young boys over a 30-year period. Former war crimes prosecutor Regina Weiss described the offending as truly shocking and found police prioritised the deceased officer's reputation over the safety of children.
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00:00Paul Reynolds took his own life in 2018 when he was being investigated for child sexual
00:07abuse offences.
00:09He was still given a full police funeral, something Commissioner Donna Adams has since
00:14apologised for.
00:16The investigation ended after his death and many in the police force and community had
00:21no clue about the truth.
00:24His offending only became public five years later, during a coronial inquest.
00:29The independent review was announced last year.
00:32It heard from 15 victim-survivors of Reynolds and has found up to 52 males at a minimum
00:40were groomed by him over a 30-year period, with some resulting in sexual abuse.
00:46The report found Reynolds used his standing as a police officer to groom the boys, their
00:51families and the community.
00:54Victim-survivors spoke about how Reynolds created this perception that he had the power
00:59to influence the outcome of criminal processes.
01:03For example, one time he produced a fake police complaint to coerce a victim-survivor into
01:08performing a sexual act.
01:10However, Reynolds predominantly met the boys through sport.
01:14A report was made to the Northern Tasmanian Football Association board members in 2018
01:20about Reynolds' inappropriate conduct, including someone witnessing him massaging a teenage
01:26boy.
01:27But it wasn't reported to police or any other agency.
01:30The review heard the association went on to pay for his wake.
01:34Police did receive a report back in 2008 from interstate officers who overheard local police
01:41describing Reynolds as a pedophile.
01:43No investigation was pursued.
01:46The report made five recommendations, including setting up a redress scheme for victim-survivors
01:52and improving ties between police and sporting organisations.
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