A special commission of inquiry has heard a lack of police in the Hunter Valley was the main factor limiting investigations of child sex abuse allegations against Catholic Priests in the Hunter.
NSW Assistant Police Commander Carlene York, who was the Northern Region commander in 2010, says a shortage of police reduced her options for a complex and potentially lengthy investigation.
Only Newcastle and Lake Macquarie police commands had the manpower to take the job, and both had numerous officers on sick leave.
The commission is focussing on allegations involving serial sex offender Father Denis Mc Alinden and convicted paedophile Father James Fletcher who are both dead.
It’s also looking at the circumstances surrounding why Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox was stopped from investigating paedophile priests and his allegations of a church cover-up.
