Editing Ned Kelly (section)

==Royal Commission and aftermath==
[[File:Royal Commission Kelly Outbreak.jpg|thumb|The royal commission into police conduct during the Kelly outbreak resulted in many force members being censured, reprimanded, demoted, suspended or dismissed]]
In March 1881, the Victorian government approved a [[royal commission]] into the conduct of the Victorian police during the Kelly outbreak.{{sfn|Kieza|2017|p=479}} Over the next six months, the commission, chaired by [[Francis Longmore]], held sixty-six meetings, examined sixty-two witnesses and visited towns throughout "Kelly Country". While its report found that the police had acted properly in relation to the criminality of the Kellys, it exposed widespread corruption and ended a number of police careers, including that of Chief Commissioner Standish.<ref>{{Citation |last= |title=Past Patterns, Future Directions: Victoria Police and the Problems of Corruption and Serious Misconduct |date=2007 |pages=19–20 |url=http://www.ibac.vic.gov.au/docs/default-source/reports/opi-report/past-patterns-future-directions---feb-2007.pdf?sfvrsn=8 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180419074108/http://www.ibac.vic.gov.au/docs/default-source/reports/opi-report/past-patterns-future-directions---feb-2007.pdf?sfvrsn=8 |archive-date=19 April 2018 |publisher=[[Office of Police Integrity]] |isbn=978-0-9757991-0-9}}</ref> Numerous other officers, including senior staff, were reprimanded, [[demotion|demoted]] or suspended. It concluded with a list of thirty-six recommendations for reform.{{sfn|Cormick|2014|p=}} Kelly hoped that his death would lead to an investigation into police conduct, and although the report did not exonerate him or his gang, its findings were said to strip the authorities "of what scanty rags of reputation the Kellys had left them."{{sfn|Kieza|2017|p=479}}

The £8,000 reward money was divided among various claimants with £6,000 going to members of the Victorian police, Superintendent Hare receiving the lion's share of £800. After Curnow complained about his payout of £550, it was increased to £1,000. Seven Aboriginal trackers were each awarded £50, but the Victorian and Queensland governments kept the money under the pretext that "It would not be desirable to place any considerable sum of money in the hands of persons unable to use it."{{sfn|Kieza|2017|pp=478–79}}

There was widespread speculation that Kelly's execution would lead to further outbreaks of violence in north-eastern Victoria.{{sfn|Jones|1995|pp=325, 332–33}} Jones and Dawson argue that changes in policing methods reduced this threat. The police no longer pursued a policy of dispersing Kelly sympathisers by denying them land in the district,{{sfn|Jones|1995|pp=326–27}}{{Sfn|Dawson|2018|p=48}} and assured them that they would be treated fairly if they kept the peace. During the royal commission there were threats of violence and intimidation against people who had assisted the police.{{sfn|Jones|1995|pp=331–32}}{{Sfn|Dawson|2018|pp=49–50}} Nevertheless, the police reported a reduction in stock theft and crime in general in north-eastern Victoria following Kelly's death.{{Sfn|Macfarlane|2012|p=207}}

Kelly's mother was released from prison in February 1881. Jones states that she met with Greta police constable Robert Graham soon after, and they reached an understanding which helped reduce tension in the community.{{sfn|Jones|1995|pp=333–34}}