4338.221 · August 9, 2018 AD
Tasmania Police Service Record - Detective Sarah Jane Lahey
Detective Constable Sarah Jane Lahey (Badge TAS-3192) served Tasmania Police from 2009 until her death on 8 August 2018. Progressing from uniform patrol to detective work, she joined the Organised Crime Division in 2016, partnering with Detective Karl Jenkins. Known for strong investigative instincts but noted for protocol concerns, she was killed during an unauthorised confrontation with Gladys Cramer in Myrtle Forest while under Internal Affairs surveillance. Her line-of-duty death at age 29 remains under investigation.
TASMANIA POLICE SERVICE RECORD - DETECTIVE SARAH JANE LAHEY
CONFIDENTIAL - PERSONNEL FILE
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Full Legal Name: Sarah Jane Lahey
Preferred Name: Sarah
Date of Birth: 13 March 1989
Place of Birth: New Norfolk, Tasmania
Gender: Female
Current Residential Address: 23 Rosewood Lane, Hobart, Tasmania
Emergency Contact (Primary):
Name: Oscar James Lahey
Relationship: Brother
Contact Number: [Redacted]
Emergency Contact (Secondary): Recently Deceased
Name: Jane Elizabeth Lahey
Relationship: Grandmother (maternal)
Contact Number: [Redacted]
SERVICE IDENTIFICATION
Badge Number: TAS-3192
Employee ID: CID-2247
Current Rank: Detective Constable
Current Division: Organised Crime Division
Current Station: Tasmania Police Headquarters, Hobart
Direct Supervisor: Detective Sergeant Charlie Edward Claiborne
Date of Commission: 10 November 2009
Service Commencement Date: 1 December 2009
Current Status: Deceased - Killed in Action (8 August 2018)
SERVICE HISTORY - TASMANIA POLICE
2009-2011: Probationary Constable / Constable
- Assignment: General Duties, Uniform Patrol
- Station: Glenorchy Police Station
- Supervisor: Sergeant Graham Thackery (2009-2011)
- Duties: First response, community engagement, incident reporting, patrol operations
2012-2013: Constable
- Assignment: Rotational placement - Family Violence Unit & Youth Services
- Station: Glenorchy Police Station / Southern District Command
- Supervisor: Sergeant Linda Watts (Family Violence), Sergeant Peter Whitmore (Youth Services)
- Duties: Victim support, youth intervention programs, community liaison, case coordination
2014-2015: Senior Constable
- Assignment: General Duties with investigative secondment
- Station: Glenorchy Police Station / Southern Criminal Investigation Branch
- Supervisor: Detective Senior Sergeant Ian McCrae
- Duties: General duties with detective training pathway, evidence gathering, witness interviews
2015-2016: Detective Constable (In Training)
- Assignment: Southern Criminal Investigation Branch
- Station: Tasmania Police Headquarters, Hobart
- Supervisor: Detective Senior Sergeant Ian McCrae
- Duties: Criminal investigations, case file preparation, evidence analysis, court liaison
2016-2018: Detective Constable
- Assignment: Organised Crime Division
- Station: Tasmania Police Headquarters, Hobart
- Supervisor: Detective Sergeant Charlie Edward Claiborne
- Primary Partner: Detective Karl Jenkins (October 2016 - July 2018)
- Duties: Complex criminal investigations, organised crime operations, syndicate analysis, undercover coordination
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Academic:
- Year 12 Certificate, Claremont College (2007) - Strong results in Legal Studies and English
Police Training:
- Tasmania Police Academy, Rokeby (March 2009 - November 2009, Intake 1/2009) - Graduated with competency in community policing and first responder coordination
Specialist Certifications:
- Advanced Interview Techniques (Tasmania Police, 2013)
- Family Violence Response Coordination (2012)
- Youth Engagement and De-escalation (2013)
- Undercover Operations Foundation Course (2016)
- Organised Crime Investigation Methods (2017)
- Digital Evidence Collection and Chain of Custody (2017)
FIREARMS CERTIFICATION
Current Status: Active and Current (at time of death)
Last Qualification Date: 3 July 2018
Certification Level: Standard Service
Authorised Firearms:
- Glock 22 Gen4 (.40 S&W) - Service weapon
- Remington 870P (12-gauge) - Tactical operations authorised
Range Qualification Scores (July 2018):
- Static Target: 87/100
- Dynamic Target: 84/100
- Low Light Conditions: 79/100
- Stress Scenario: 86/100
COMMENDATIONS AND RECOGNITION
Tasmania Police Service:
2013 - Divisional Commander's Letter of Commendation
For compassionate and effective response to high-risk domestic violence incident resulting in successful prosecution and victim safety outcomes.
2015 - Certificate of Merit
For outstanding initiative in evidence collection leading to breakthrough in Southern CIB property crime investigation, resulting in recovery of stolen goods valued at $127,000 and arrest of three offenders.
2017 - Meritorious Service Award
For exceptional investigative work as part of joint operation targeting cross-border narcotics distribution network. Contribution directly led to disruption of supply chain and multiple arrests.
DISCIPLINARY RECORD
Status: No formal disciplinary actions on record prior to July 2018
Internal Investigation (July-August 2018):
Date: 29 July 2018
Nature: Alleged unauthorised operational activity; failure to follow chain of command protocols; conducting investigations without supervisory knowledge
Location: Berriedale residence incident
Investigating Officer: Detective Sergeant Alexander Stout
Status: Investigation ongoing at time of subject's death on 8 August 2018
Related Documentation: Workplace Injury Report filed by subject; Incident Report (Detective Karl Jenkins); Internal Affairs preliminary review
Surveillance Order:
Date Authorised: 7 August 2018
Authorising Officer: Detective Sergeant Alexander Stout
Surveillance Team: Constable Emily Rogers, Constable David O'Neil
Duration: 7-8 August 2018
Reason: Suspected unauthorised contact with persons of interest; potential compromise of active investigations
Result: Subject fatally wounded during surveillance operation on 8 August 2018
WORKPLACE INCIDENTS
2018-07-29: Workplace Injury - Detective Lahey sustained hand laceration during joint operation with Detective Karl Jenkins at residential property in Berriedale. Injury treated on-site, follow-up medical attention required. Self-reported via standard Workplace Injury Report.
2018-08-08: Fatal Injury - Detective Lahey sustained fatal neck wound during confrontation with Gladys Cramer at Myrtle Forest location. Subject pronounced deceased at scene. Full Internal Affairs investigation initiated.
OPERATIONAL ASSIGNMENTS - NOTABLE CASES
Operation Cascade (2013-2014) - Supporting Investigator
Youth gang activity and associated property crimes. Result: Multiple arrests, diversion programs implemented.
Operation Southside (2015-2016) - Primary Investigator
Narcotics distribution network across southern suburbs. Result: 8 arrests, significant drug seizures.
Operation Tidefall (2017) - Joint Investigator
Cross-border narcotics trafficking investigation with federal liaison. Result: Network disruption, multiple arrests.
Greyson-Jeffries Missing Persons Case (July-August 2018) - Supporting Investigator
Investigation into disappearance of Jamie Greyson and Kain Jeffries. Status: Unresolved. Supporting investigator killed during related operational activity.
Gladys Cramer Investigation (August 2018) - Unauthorised Investigation
Subject conducted unauthorised surveillance and engagement with person of interest Gladys Cramer. Status: Subject killed during confrontation with Cramer on 8 August 2018.
PARTNERSHIP HISTORY (TASMANIA POLICE)
2009-2014: Various partners (General Duties, Uniform Patrol)
Standard rotation through divisional partnerships during probationary and constable years.
2015-2016: Various partners (CIB rotation)
Multiple short-term partnerships during detective training pathway.
2016-2018: Detective Karl Jenkins (Organised Crime Division)
Primary partnership noted for high case resolution rates and effective collaborative approach. Partnership subject to Internal Affairs review following July 2018 incidents. Relationship terminated following incidents of 29 July 2018.
PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS
2017 Annual Review (Completed by DS Charlie Claiborne):
Strengths:
- Strong intuitive investigative instincts
- Excellent rapport-building with witnesses and informants
- Persistent and thorough in case follow-up
- Effective under pressure situations
- Strong written communication and case documentation
- Demonstrates initiative and proactive investigation strategies
Areas for Development:
- Chain of command awareness and protocol adherence
- Work-life balance concerns - excessive case hours
- Tendency toward independent action requiring supervisory oversight
- Professional boundaries in partnership dynamics
- Improved coordination with other divisions and units
Overall Rating: Meets Expectations with Notable Strengths
Recommendation: Continued development in Organised Crime Division with enhanced supervisory engagement
VEHICLE ASSIGNMENT
Current Assignment: Tasmania Police unmarked vehicle (Fleet #TAS-UD-1142)
Vehicle Type: Holden Commodore VF Series (2015)
Registration: [Classified]
Status: Vehicle recovered from subject's residence, 8 August 2018; GPS tracking device located and removed during forensic examination
CURRENT CASE LOAD (AS OF AUGUST 2018)
Active Primary Investigations: 2
- Organised Crime syndicate mapping (Case #2018-OC-0341)
- Cross-jurisdictional narcotics distribution analysis (Case #2018-OC-0398)
Active Secondary Investigations: 1
- Missing Persons: Jamie Greyson and Kain Jeffries (Case #2018-MP-0847) - supporting role
Status: All case files transferred to Detective Sergeant Alexander Stout and redistributed within Organised Crime Division following Detective Lahey's death.
ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES
Medical Fitness: Current and cleared for active duty (last assessment: February 2018)
Psychological Evaluation: Last completed June 2017 - cleared for continued service with recommendation for work-life balance monitoring and stress management resources.
Leave Balance (as of 8 August 2018):
- Annual Leave: 94.5 hours accrued
- Sick Leave: 38 hours accrued
- Long Service Leave: Not yet eligible
Special Skills/Languages:
- Fluent English (native)
- Strong interpersonal communication and rapport-building
- Effective undercover operations capability
- Proficient in digital evidence collection
- Community engagement and victim liaison experience
DECEASED OFFICER STATUS
Date of Death: 8 August 2018
Location: Myrtle Forest, Tasmania (approximate coordinates: -42.8719° S, 147.2194° E)
Cause of Death: Fatal neck wound sustained during confrontation
Circumstances: Subject engaged in unauthorised field operation and confrontation with person of interest Gladys Cramer. Subject was under active surveillance by Tasmania Police Internal Affairs team at time of incident.
Witnesses: Detective Sergeant Alexander Stout, Constable Emily Rogers, Constable David O'Neil (surveillance team)
Investigation Status: Active line-of-duty death investigation (Case #2018-LODD-003)
Lead Investigator: Detective Inspector Margaret Hayes (Internal Affairs Division)
Status: Investigation ongoing; preliminary findings indicate unauthorised operational activity; full report pending
Death Notification:
- Next of Kin: Oscar James Lahey (brother) - notified 8 August 2018, 18:47
- Emergency Contact: Jane Patricia Lahey (grandmother) - Deceased 4 August 2018
POSTHUMOUS RECOGNITION
Status: Pending completion of Internal Affairs investigation
Preliminary Considerations:
- Line-of-Duty Death benefits approved for family (pending final investigation conclusions)
- Memorial service held 15 August 2018, Tasmania Police Chapel
- Name added to Tasmania Police Memorial Wall (provisional, pending investigation)
- Posthumous commendation under review pending investigation outcomes
File Compiled: 9 August 2018
Last Updated: 9 August 2018
Access Level: Restricted - Senior Command, Internal Affairs, and Authorised Investigating Officers Only
File Location: Tasmania Police Personnel Records Division
Internal Affairs Case Reference: IA-2018-0847
END OF SERVICE RECORD
