303 Police Commissioner’s rifle

Francis Erich Bischof, LVO, QPM (12 October 1904 – 28 August 1979) was the Queensland Police Commissioner in Australia from January 1958 until his resignation, on 13 February 1969, amidst allegations of corruption.[1]

Stationed with the Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) in Brisbane, he was promoted to sergeant in 1939 and inspector in 1949. He studied in Britain (including Scotland Yard) and Europe, returning to Australia in 1950 and investigating the Bulimba elections fraud. Described as 'the Big Fella' – Bischof was 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) tall and weighed 16 stone (100 kg) – he gained thirty-two convictions in thirty-three murder investigations. In 1955 he became head of the CIB.

In January 1958 Bischof was appointed Commissioner of Police by Premier of Queensland, Frank Nicklin. The appointment was criticised as a political one by the opposition Labor Party, which felt that at least two other senior officers were more suitable. Tony Fitzgerald, who between 1987 and 1989 headed a commission of inquiry into corruption in Queensland, commented on page 31 of his report that the appointment of Bischof, who was a Mason, marked a deliberate transition away from the previously dominant Irish-Catholic "Green Mafia" influence in the Queensland Police, particularly since Bischof was appointed over the head of the more senior James Edward Donovan, a Catholic.

During Bischof's tenure, there was persistent criticism of Bischof's management of the police force. Allegations and suggestions were made in parliament of corruption, abuse of power, and negligence on the part of individual police officers. There was also concern over undue police zeal in handling street demonstrations. During 1963 and 1964 a Royal Commission was held into alleged police protection of a call-girl service operating out of the National Hotel in Brisbane. The Commissioner, Justice Harry Gibbs criticised the lax enforcement of the licensing laws due to friendships between hotel management and police. It seems likely that the inquiry was hampered by a cover-up, because in 1971 one of the key witnesses admitted to perjuring herself.

State Treasurer Thomas Hiley established the extent of Bischof's gambling habit and confronted him. On 13 February 1969, only 240 days before his retirement, Bischof suddenly took leave on medical grounds. In December 1974 he was charged with stealing, but the Crown decided not to prosecute. Bischof died on 28 August 1979 in South Brisbane.

The No 1Mk III star Lee Enfield rifle was the same rifle that had been issued to the Queensland Police Stations for use by the Police. However this one, which came in the box, ascribed to the previous ownership of the Police Commissioner has been specially converted to the Australian ( standard of the day) 1948 to 1969 sniper rifle with the scope bases and Aldis Scope, it came with the shortened bayonet and target sling and the Police Badge on the butt of the rifle. The barrel is in mint condition and almost unused. This rifle seems to have been manufactured as a gift for the Commissioner, we can only guess the story of what favour was involved in the transaction.

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