AUSTRAILIA - CCC cops flak for dropping bikie charges

OFF THE WIRE
The parliamentary committee that oversees Western Australia's Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC) has called on it to show more resolve during organised crime examinations after it abandoned charges against bikies.In April last year, Coffin Cheaters Motorcycle Club members Benjamin Ortin and David Reid were called before a CCC hearing but refused to answer questions about a violent brawl they had with members of rival gxxg Finks at the Kwinana Motorplex in 2010.
"The committee was very concerned about the possible impression that the tactics used by the two Coffin Cheaters during these organised crime examinations are a recipe for successfully subverting the coercive hearing power of the CCC," committee chairman Nick Goiran said.
"In fact, the only reason why those tactics worked in this instance was because of an error of process by the CCC and the police."
Opposition justice spokesman John Quigley said the CCC's "bungled prosecution of the Coffin Cheaters provides strong evidence as to why the CCC should not be given a mandate to investigate organised crime".
"They have completely flunked on this occasion and it's not the first occasion," Mr Quigley told reporters.
The parliamentary committee reiterated its belief that "a greater discharge of the CCC's organised crime function did not require wholesale changes to the CCC Act".
"Like everyone, the committee would welcome an enhanced use of the CCC's exceptional powers by the WA Police in the fight against organised crime in this state," Mr Goiran said.
"This outcome could very easily be achieved with some modest amendments to the CCC Act."
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8483593/ccc-cops-flak-for-dropping-bikie-charges