Media Release - Operation Tambre Final Report

For the first time, the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission has reported publicly about its investigation of former NSW Police officer Daniel Keneally after his conviction for a public justice offence in the Local Court and his unsuccessful appeal to the District Court.  

The Commission’s public reporting of its investigation known as Operation Tambre comes after the District Court dismissed the former officer’s appeal against conviction for fabricating a statement with intent to mislead a judicial tribunal.  It was alleged that the former officer had fabricated evidence in February 2021 in a police investigation that led to the wrongful arrest and charging of Luke Moore.

A May 2021 complaint was originally referred by the Commission for investigation by the NSW Police Force. The Commission was dissatisfied with the outcome of the police investigation.

In November 2021, the Commission decided to take the matter over and conduct its own independent investigation. A private examination of Officer Keneally was conducted and a private report issued in April 2022 to the Commissioner of Police and the Minister for Police recommending prosecution and consideration of dismissal of Officer Keneally. A private report was utilised by the Commission so as not to jeopardise Officer Keneally’s right to a fair trial for a serious indictable offence.

The Local Court hearing resulted in the conviction of Officer Keneally in November 2023 and his unsuccessful appeal to the District Court in June 2024. Following the dismissal of his appeal, Officer Keneally tendered his resignation on 21 June 2024 with the resignation accepted by the Commissioner of Police on 26 June 2024.

The Local Court sentenced Officer Keneally to a 15-month intensive correction order, a term of imprisonment to be served in the community beginning from the District Court’s dismissal of his appeal on 21 June 2024.

Officer Keneally’s resignation from the NSW Police Force means the Commission’s 2022 recommendation that the Police Commissioner consider dismissing Officer Keneally from the NSW Police Force is no longer necessary.

Chief Commissioner Peter Johnson SC said:

“This report illustrates the effective operation of the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission Act 2016 in several important respects.

“Following review of the police investigation, the Commission took over the matter and conducted its own independent investigation. A private examination was followed by a private report recommending prosecution and consideration of dismissal by the NSW Police Force.

“A criminal prosecution was commenced by the Commission and Officer Keneally was found guilty of a serious offence and sentenced for that offence. His appeal to the District Court was dismissed.

“Officer Keneally has resigned from the NSPWF.

“The Commission’s investigation and report led to the successful prosecution of the officer for a serious public justice offence and his departure from the NSW Police Force.”

The Commission’s report on its Operation Tambre investigation can be found here. For more information contact LECC Media.