G4S boss Kerry McNamara labled “unethical and disgraceful” in police disciplinary report

Sacked detective Kerry McNamara now security boss

Kerry McNamara was sacked as a police officer in Australia – so why was he given a work visa in PNG?

Matt Johnston | Sunday Herald Sun
A controversial detective forced out of Victoria Police is now a senior manager at the security company running the Manus Island immigration detention centre.
Kerry McNamara left the police force in 1998 amid claims of assault and theft, including that he stole drugs from dealers.
After working in security in Melbourne and Brisbane, including at airports, Mr McNamara this year took up a role as general manager of security with G4S in Papua New Guinea
Last month G4S – the same company embarrassed for bungling security arrangements before the London Olympics – was awarded a contract to run security at asylum seeker detention centres on Manus Island, in PNG
During his time with Victoria Police, an internal disciplinary report branded Mr McNamara as unethical and disgraceful.

It said he had “consistently assaulted members of the public, stolen their money and stolen any drug material you (McNamara) found on them”.
“Your behaviour has been without regard for the law or the rights of members of the public and has been completely unethical,” it said.

Mr McNamara did not appear before a police disciplinary hearing into the allegations and was sacked in late 1998.
A spokeswoman for G4S said Mr McNamara, who is based in the PNG capital of Port Moresby, was a “valued employee” and misconduct allegations were in the past.

“The information to which you refer is more than 15 years old and has been in the public domain,” she said.
“He has performed his duties to a high standard since joining G4S PNG in May of this year.
“As required by law, he passed all statutory background checks carried out by law enforcement and other agencies.
“Additionally, his previous employment record was verified.”

The Sunday Herald Sun contacted Mr McNamara by telephone in PNG, where he declined to answer questions, before hanging up.
The spokeswoman for G4S said Mr McNamara was not directly involved in the servicing of the DIAC (Department of Immigration and Citizenship) contract.

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