The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit public hearing continues today in Auckland.

Witness evidence summaries are outlined below.

After a witness speaks, their full evidence along with footage of them speaking, will be available for download.

The hearing is being live-streamed on the Abuse in Care website.

Hearing location: Level 2, 414 Khyber Pass Road, Newmarket, Auckland 1023.

25 June

10am approx.

Malcolm Burgess (continued from previous day)
Malcolm Burgess is a former Assistant Commissioner of the New Zealand Police who retired from the Police in 2016. Mr Burgess will give evidence of the investigation he undertook into the complaints over the period 2006 through to 2010 and explain the decision-making process not to lay criminal charges in 2010.

2.15pm approx.

Thomas Fitzgerald

Thomas Fitzgerald is a Detective Superintendent, the Director of the Criminal Investigation Branch and the most senior investigator in the New Zealand Police. Detective Superintendent Fitzgerald will give evidence about the Police policies and procedures in place from 2002 - 2010 during the Police investigation into complaints about the Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit. This will include an overview of an investigation into historic allegations, and the relevant sexual assault investigation policies. As the only witness currently employed by and representing the Police at the public hearing, Detective Superintendent Fitzgerald will also give evidence about the previous 1977 police investigation and the work on the Lake Alice file following the 2010 decision not to prosecute, up until January 2020 when a new police investigation was launched.

3.45pm approx.

Thomas Fitzgerald continued

Media enquiries: 027 298 2094; media@abuseincare.org.nz

About the Abuse in Care Inquiry

The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry is investigating the abuse and neglect that happened to children, young people and vulnerable adults in care from 1950 and 1999.