AUSTRALIA
Newcastle Herald

By JASON GORDON May 10, 2013

The head of the NSW sex crimes squad has told the Special Commission of Inquiry that the early response by police to claims of sex abuse cover-ups within the Maitland-Newcastle Catholic Diocese appeared to lack urgency.

Detective Superintendent John Kerlatec was shown documents when he took the stand at the commission in Newcastle this morning.

Mr Kerlatec said he recalled having several conversations with Detective Inspector Paul Jacob when Strike Force Lantle was established in late 2010 to investigate claims of sex abuse cover-up.

Under cross examination by Mark Cohen, acting for Mr Fox, Mr Kerlatec was referred to reports which he agreed did not reflect a lot of urgency on the part of police investigations.

He also agreed that while an investigating officer appeared keen to proceed quickly, he was being ‘‘shut down’’ by his superior officer, Detective Inspector…