On 17 November 1948, C.H. Book (Judge of County Courts and Chairman of General Sessions for the State of Victoria) was appointed Royal Commissioner to inquire into and report upon the following matters:

1) The administration of the Police Force of Western Australia under the (then) present Commissioner of Police, having regard only to specific complaints made at the enquiry by any member of the Police Force in relation to the following: a) whether there had been any culpable administration on the part of the Commissioner of Police or Detective Inspectors Lewis or Blight in respect of the demotion, transfer or failure to promote Sergeant Kendall b) any wrongful, improper, or unfair administration in respect of any other demotions, promotions or transfers within the Police Force c) any victimisation or unfair treatment of or undue influence affecting any member of the Force d) any wrongful or improper suppression or withdrawl of any charge or prosecution against any member of the public;

2) Whether there had been any breach of duty or of good discipline, or any other culpable action on the part of Sergeant Kendall or on the part of any other member of the Force who has made or, at the enquiry, shall make any allegation against the Commissioner of Police or the administration of the Police Force; and

3) Whether any and what disciplinary or other action should be taken to terminate or affect the appointment or status of the Commissioner or any officer or member of the Force by whom or concerning whom any allegation shall have been made at the enquiry.

On 2 December 1948, the following term of reference was added:

2A) Whether any motor spirit ration tickets or Police Department petrol were used in connection with a journey from Perth of a motor car in which the Commissioner of Police was a passenger to a Police Conference in 1947 at Brisbane, and if so, whether and to what extent there was, in relation to the use of such tickets or petrol a) anything wrongful or improper on the part of the Commissioner b) any falsification or Police Department records, or c) any obstruction by the Commissioner or any member of the Police Force or officers of the Liquid Fuel Control Board in this State in or arising out of investigations by such officers.