Support a full investigation into the conduct of Constable Daniel Keneally and the NSW Police in relation to the false allegations made against Luke Moore

By all accounts Luke Moore could right now be serving a lengthy term of imprisonment for a serious crime that he never committed. To coin a term reminiscent of the days of the Wood Royal Commission into NSW Police Corruption, Luke was “loaded-up”.  Arrested, charged, and denied bail, Luke spent three weeks in solitary confinement before all charges were withdrawn, and court ordered costs were made against the NSW Police.  

On 25 February 2021, Luke was charged with the offence of using a carriage service, namely his mobile phone, to threaten to kill Sergeant Edward Taylor, an indictable offence under the Commonwealth Criminal Code which carries a term of imprisonment of up to 10 years.

Luke was arrested by police as he rode his bicycle through Parramatta Park, Nowra, on his way to get food for his family. Luke was immediately taken to Nowra police station, and whilst there, 12 Police from the NSW Police Fixated Persons Unit raided his home in front of his partner and 2-year-old daughter. To say that they were terrified is an understatement.

At the police station Luke strenuously denied the allegations, telling police that he had a recording on his mobile phone that would prove his innocence. His plea however, fell on deaf ears. He was charged, denied bail by police, and spent the night in the cells at Nowra police station where he was subjected to hours of abuse and insults by the custody manager and was refused a blanket.

The following day Luke appeared before Nowra Magistrates Court where police strenuously opposed bail due to the seriousness of the offence. Luke again protested his innocence, however bail was formally refused. In an act of desperation, Luke then smashed a nearby wall clock over his head as he screamed to get the recording that was on his mobile phone. This act of self-harm severely lacerated Luke’s head and he was immediately tackled to the ground by several officers. Luke was treated by paramedics before being conveyed to the South Coast Correctional Centre where he was held in solitary confinement for the next three weeks. Luke also had a further charge of malicious damage added for smashing the walk clock over his head.   

After being held in solitary confinement for three weeks, with virtually no sunlight, Luke was granted bail with strict conditions on his second attempt at Nowra Local Court, despite police continuing their opposition for Luke to being granted bail. The police vehemently opposed the bail application, claiming that Luke would try and kill police if released.

On 25 June 2021 all charges were withdrawn against Luke, except the malicious damage charge, which was subsequently withdrawn on 27 October 2021. Police have also been ordered to pay Luke’s legal costs totalling $31,000.

Why was Luke arrested and charged for threatening to kill Sergeant Edward Taylor?

About 8.30pm on Wednesday 24 February 2021, Luke contacted Newtown police station on his mobile phone, and recorded the call on an autocall recorder application. The call was answered by Constable Daniel Keneally. During the 12-minute conversation with Constable Keneally, Luke spoke about illegal strip searches of children and Aboriginal people in NSW. He spoke about the financial cost that illegal strip searches were having on the taxpayer and the trauma that illegal strip searches have on victims. Luke has previously successfully sued the NSW Police twice for being illegally stripped searched himself and has been awarded over $100,000 in compensation and legal costs.  

Luke told Constable Keneally about his website isuepolice.com, and whilst they were talking Constable Keneally accessed his website online.

After their conversation had ended, Constable Keneally made the following police statement at 11.35pm which he then had witnessed by Constable Jessica Reilly:

I said - “On your website, what’s this about the detective at Goulburn?”

He said - “What you mean?”

I said - “Detective Ed Taylor, what’s the issue?”

He said - “He is a paedophile in your ranks, he strip searches children. I want him gone”.

I said - “What do you mean gone?”

He said - “I want him off this planet.”

I said - “How though?”

He said - “I’m coming for him when he least expects it. I know where he works, and I can follow him home.”

I said - “Yeah, right. That’s fine and all, but what do you mean by off the planet?”

He said - “Good as gone, dead.” 

…

"Moore continued speaking about strip searched (sic) and allegations of paedophilia by NSW Police Force officers. From my memory, I recall him repeatably making allegations of “Baby-rapers”.

Constable Keneally also submitted an intelligence report which he then sent to the NSW Police Real Time Intelligence Centre (RTIC).

The following day Luke was arrested and charged with threatening to kill Sergeant Taylor.

Constable Daniel Keneally’s false allegations

Constable Keneally’s allegations that Luke threatened to kill Sergeant Taylor are an entire fabrication. The statement of Constable Keneally that resulted in Luke being arrested and charged with a serious indictable offence which carries a term of imprisonment of up to 10 years and resulted in him being held in solitary confinement for three weeks, were entirely made up. It can’t even be said that this was taken out of context, as the conversation never occurred in any context whatsoever. Fortunately, Luke had taped the 12-minute conversation between himself and Constable Keneally.

Complaint to the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission

On 18 May 2021, Luke made a formal complaint to the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) in relation to the knowingly false allegations made by Constable Keneally which resulted in what is detailed above. The LECC however did not deem his complaint to be serious enough to warrant their investigation and sent his complaint to Constable Keneally’s station for them to investigate.

Following an investigation by Sergeant Joshua Madden, Luke received a phone call from Constable Keneally’s Commander, Superintendent Sam Crisafulli advising him of the outcome of his complaint. Commander Crisafulli advised Luke that he had sustained one finding only against Constable Keneally that he “did not act with due care and diligence in the making of his statement”, and that "internal management action would be taken".

The outcome of Luke’s complaint is of course patently absurd. A knowingly false allegation was made against Luke which resulted in him being arrested, charged, denied bail, and spending three weeks in solitary confinement.

Had Luke not recorded the conversation with Constable Keneally, he may very well still be imprisoned for a crime that he did not commit.