Inquest on cop opens
A CORONIAL inquest into the suspected death of former Warwick police officer Mick Isles heard its first evidence in Brisbane yesterday.
The former local mysteriously disappeared from North Queensland in 2009 after being cleared of money laundering and drug trafficking charges.
Mr Isles lived here with his family until 1989 and the father of three later moved north, where his last posting was as officer-in-charge of Ayr police station.
His network of family and friends in Warwick and North Queensland descended into mourning after September 23, 2009, when the much-loved community member went missing after driving from Ayr to Townsville for police training.
His car, work uniform and a box of firearm ammunition were found in bushland south-west of Townsville five days later.
In the Brisbane Magistrates Court yesterday the inquest heard the Queensland Police Service had accused the senior officer of drug trafficking and money laundering in August 2008.
Son Steven Isles said his father was hit like a tonne of bricks and had no idea where the allegations came from.
Mr Isles was stood down from his role as officer in charge at Ayr station while the Crime and Misconduct Commission investigated the allegations.
Mr Isles took sick leave and suffered a mental breakdown, the inquest heard.
Not long afterwards he was diagnosed with cancer and subjected to weeks of treatment.
The CMC eventually cleared Mr Isles of the criminal accusations and he prepared to return to work in September 2009.
Steven Isles told the inquest his father had looked forward to returning to work and socialising with his police mates, despite refusing to talk to them after he was accused of criminal behaviour.
"He was over the moon when he was exonerated," his son said.
"He just wanted to get on with the job."
The police officer who investigated Mr Isles's disappearance told the inquest the most likely scenario of his death was suicide.
The inquest continues in the court today and is scheduled to conclude on Friday.
