Institutional failures within Tasmania Police: child sexual abuse and the case of Paul Reynolds

Police services hold a unique position of trust in the community. For most Tasmanians, contact with police involves the expectation of protection and accountability. But for a number of children and young people, particularly those in northern and central Tasmania, a member of that trusted institution used his authority and standing to exploit and harm them over a period of three decades.

The case of Senior Sergeant Paul Reynolds, and the broader failures of Tasmania Police identified by the Commission of Inquiry, represent a serious and deeply troubling chapter in the history of Tasmanian institutions.

Paul Reynolds

Paul Reynolds was a Senior Sergeant in Tasmania Police who served across the Deloraine Division and Prosecution Services. Over his career, he became a visible and trusted figure in his community – heavily involved in football, basketball, and youth sport in a coaching, umpiring, and administrative capacity. That standing, and the authority his police role conferred, was central to how he operated.

The Weiss Independent Review, led by barrister Regina Weiss and released in July 2024, found that Reynolds used his status as a trusted member of the community to groom and sexually abuse up to 52 young boys, with the first known victim-survivor’s experience dating back to 1988. The review found that sport was his primary hunting ground, and that he cultivated a reputation as a father figure and mentor to exploit the trust of children and their families. On at least one occasion, Reynolds used a fabricated police report to coerce a victim into compliance.

Reynolds died by suicide in September 2018 while under investigation. In a decision that drew widespread public condemnation, Tasmania Police granted him a police funeral. The Commissioner of Police subsequently acknowledged this was wrong and issued a formal apology to victim-survivors and to Tasmania Police staff.

What the Commission of Inquiry found

The Commission of Inquiry examined the Reynolds matter as a specific case study. It found failings in the initial investigation into allegations of child sexual abuse against Reynolds and identified the decision to hold a police funeral as compounding the harm experienced by victim-survivors. More broadly, the Commission identified systemic deficiencies in how Tasmania Police investigated reports of child sexual abuse – including failures to share information with other agencies, inadequate training for officers, and a culture that did not sufficiently prioritise the safety and dignity of victim-survivors.

Tasmania Police accepted all the Commission’s findings and recommendations relating to its conduct. It has since committed to reviewing its investigation guidelines, strengthening relationships with partner agencies, implementing mandatory family and sexual violence response training, and opening dedicated multidisciplinary support centres for victim-survivors.

Who may be affected

If you were groomed or sexually abused by Paul Reynolds, or by any other member of Tasmania Police, you may be entitled to compensation and to a formal response from the institution. This applies whether the abuse occurred in an official police context, through sport, or through other community connections. If you made a complaint that was ignored, mishandled, or not properly investigated, you may also have grounds for a claim.

The Weiss Review recommended the establishment of a dedicated redress scheme and restorative engagement framework for people affected by Reynolds’ conduct, and the Tasmanian Government accepted these recommendations. MEJ can help you understand what options are available to you.

How MEJ can help

We understand that coming forward about abuse by someone who held a position of authority – and who was trusted by your family and your community – requires enormous courage. At MEJ, your story matters. We will treat your experience with the sensitivity and care it deserves, and we will fight for the recognition and compensation you are entitled to.

If you or someone you know has been affected by abuse in any of these settings, MEJ is here to help. Contact us today for a free, confidential conversation with our team, or call 1800 570 778.

If you need immediate support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Sexual Assault Crisis Line on 1800 697 877 (available 24/7).