Officer's wife
apologises to bikie for crashed funeral
26th May 2016 11:05 AM
UPDATED 2:36 PM
by Helen Spelitis
THE wife of a police officer has apologised to the family of James Henzell for
her husband's involvement in setting up road blocks targeting bikies attending a
funeral.
Bikie tells cops to rebel, 'apologise for crashing funeral'
Chris Hawes, sergeant-at-arms for outlaw motorcycle gang the Black Uhlans M.C.,
said the police officers wife - who asked to remain anonymous - phoned him
yesterday to say she was sorry for the distress the police presence had caused
the grieving family.
Up to 30 police set up road blocks and tested funeral attendees for drugs before
and after the funeral service for Mr Henzell, who was Mr Hawes's brother-in-law
but not a member of any bikie gang.
"She said her partner (a police officer) had participated in the day and she
wanted to apologise for it; to the family," Mr Hawes said.
>>'Nothing to hide': Bikie demands apology after funeral
Chris Hawes, Gladstone Sergeant at Arms, Black Uhlans M.C. Chris Hawes,
Gladstone Sergeant at Arms, Black Uhlans M.C.
"She said she thought it was wrong and that her partner knew she was calling me.
"It was quick and quite strange but at least the conversation about respect, and
whether police should be able to do what they did, is now happening in their
home too.
"It's a start."
Police stop guests from leaving James Henzell's funeral at Boyne Tannum.
Mr Hawes has called on the police to issue a formal apology to the family of
James Henzell after road blocks and drug testing were conducted at his funeral
service.
James Henzell, who took his own life, was not a member of any outlawed
motorcycle gang.
Queensland Police said two police officers from Taskforce Maxima had been
brought up from Brisbane for the event and, as a result, four people had been
charged with drug driving.
The police confirmed there had been no contravention of the strict VLAD laws
targeting outlawed motorcycle gangs on the day, but have not commented on Mr
Hawes' request for an apology.