Timeline
June 2002
Detective Sergeant Paul Dale begins work at Victoria Police’s Major Drug Investigation Division.
27 September 2003
Police informer Terrence Hodson and detective Dave Miechel arrested for burglary at an Oakleigh East drug house.
5 December 2003
Dale arrested and charged with conspiracy after Hodson tells police Dale was involved in the burglary. Dale remanded in Port Phillip Prison for ten days.
15 December 2003
Dale denies any involvement in the burglary and is released on bail.
16 May 2004
Terrence Hodson and wife Christine found shot dead in their Kew home.
17 May 2004
Dale arrested for murder, but released without charge.
9 June 2004
Drug charges against Dale withdrawn.
5 October 2004
Police Commissioner Christine Nixon exercises special powers and sacks Dale.
November 2004
Victorian government announces creation of Office of Police Integrity.
February 2005
Retired judge Tony Fitzgerald reports on leaking of Hodson’s police files to criminal underworld, naming Dale as the most likely suspect.
June 2005
Dale launches Supreme Court action against his sacking.
11 August 2005
Judge overturns Nixon’s decision, citing lack of procedural fairness. Dale then resigns from police.
26 May 2006
Dave Miechel found guilty of the drug house burglary and trafficking.
March 2007
Dale subpoenaed to appear before Australian Crime Commission, where he answers questions on condition of secrecy and indemnity.
April 2007
Carl Williams signs statement claiming Dale took corrupt payments and tried to commission murder of Hodson.
September 2008
Reward of $1 million offered for information leading to conviction for Hodson murders.
November 2008
Dale gives further evidence to Australian Crime Commission.
13 February 2009
Dale arrested and charged with commissioning the Hodson murders. Is taken to Acacia high-security unit at Barwon prison.
March 2009
Dale unsuccessfully applies for bail.
August 2009
Dale’s second bail application rejected.
11 September 2009
Victorian Supreme Court of Appeal allows Dale’s release on bail.
March 2010
Dale’s committal hearing begins. Key prosecution witness Nicola Gobbo announces she cannot give evidence for medical reasons.
19 April 2010
Carl Williams bashed to death in Barwon prison.
April 2010
Gobbo launches civil action against police for alleged breach of agreement.
April 2010
Victoria Police announce establishment of Driver Taskforce to investigate murder of Williams.
May 2010
Office of Public Prosecution withdraws murder charges against Dale and his co-accused, Rod Collins.
January 2011
Driver Taskforce charges Dale with lying to the Australian Crime Commission.
November 2011
Dale ordered to stand trial for lying to the ACC.
May 2012
Driver Taskforce finds no evidence linking Dale to Williams’s murder.
28 March 2013
Jury clears Dale on all counts of lying to the ACC.