One of Qld's most controversial figures, former corrupt Queensland police commissioner Terence Murray Lewis, has died. Lewis was denounced as a traitor to his oath after receiving more than $600,000 in corrupt payments during the Bjelke-Petersen era.
One of the state’s most controversial figures, former corrupt Queensland police commissioner Terence Murray Lewis, has died.
During that time, Lewis grew close to corrupt police commissioner Frank Bischof and bribe-taking “Rat Pack” officers Tony Murphy and Glen Hallahan.In a scam known as “the Joke”, the Rat Pack collected protection money from brothels, gambling dens and illegal bookmakers in exchange for turning a blind eye to the illicit activities.
Lewis was criticised for politicising the police force and enforcing Sir Joh’s controversial legislation, while also receiving accolades such as the QLewis then became the first serving Australian police officer to be awarded a knighthood in 1986.However, by1989 he was sacked after former police officer Jack Herbert confessed at the Fitzgerald inquiry into police corruption to having been Lewis’s bagman.
He and wife Hazel lived out their years in Brisbane, aided by financial support from some of their five children.