wetnwild Queensland Police Service sacks 37-year-old female sergeant for dishonesty

September 24, 2010

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A POLICEWOMAN from central Queensland has been sacked for dishonesty.

A statement released by the Queensland Police Service said the 37-year-old sergeant had been dismissed following a disciplinary hearing into a number of matters including dishonesty.

The sacking comes a day after a male constable was stood down for alleged misuse of his firearm.

The 38-year-old is alleged to have pulled out his gun in a lunchroom at a Gold Coast police station in March.

An internal investigation is underway.

Cop stood down over firearm misuse

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September 23, 2010

A QUEENSLAND police officer has been stood down from duty over allegations he inappropriately used his service firearm.

The 38-year-old male constable from South Eastern Region was also being investigated over other matters associated with an incident in March, police said in a statement.

A disciplinary investigation is under way.

Dog food gift for Gold Coast cop who complained about colleague

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September 23, 2010

A GOLD Coast police officer was given a can of dog food as a "secret Santa" present at a police Christmas party after making a complaint about a colleague, a Crime and Misconduct Commission inquiry has been told.

CMC barrister John Allen told the inquiry of harassment and intimidation of police whistleblowers who made complaints about fellow officers to the commission or internal investigations branch.

He said the "secret Santa" incident and verbal abuse of officers who co-operated with the CMC's Operation Tesco inquiry into Gold Coast police misconduct had been 'extremely distressing'.

Police Ethical Standards Command chief Peter Martin said officers who made complaints were supported.

Mr Allen asked him if the harassment uncovered by the CMC meant that the situation was "not quite as rosy'.

Mr Martin said said he was not aware of such intimidation but it was "very worrying behaviour".

"I would have thought we would have moved well beyond that,'' he said.

"These types of allegations ... they frustrate me.''

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Imagine that you are a Copper and see one or more of your co-workers doing the wrong thing. Do you become a cobber dobber or do you look the other way?

I'd like to think that I'd have the moral courage to do the right thing but I'll be honest and say that I'd more than likely turn a blind eye on most things.

Court hears cop started fight

September 21st, 2010

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September 21st, 2010

A POLICE officer started a fight that allegedly led to his death, a court has heard.

Sergeant Brett Meredith died after he was allegedly punched in Katherine's Club 23 by Michael Simon Martyn in the early hours of New Year's Day.

Mr Martyn is this week facing a committal hearing on a charge of manslaughter for Sgt Meredith's death.

Corey Anderson knew both men, and told Katherine Magistrates Court this afternoon that he saw Sgt Meredith approach Mr Martyn two or three times before Mr Martyn punched the off-duty police officer.

"Brett turned around, looked like he was ready to fight Mickey, walked up to him pretty serious," Mr Anderson said. "Mickey hit him (Sgt Meredith) before he could hit him (Mr Martyn)."

Mr Martyn's lawyer Michael Abbott, QC, asked if it looked like Sgt Meredith started the altercation, and Mr Anderson said: "That's what it looked like to me".

Mr Anderson said he told Mr Martyn that Sgt Meredith was a cop, but Mr Martyn said: "I don't f***ing care".

Earlier today Security officer Gail Taylor told court that she tried to push Sergeant Brett Meredith and Michael Simon Martyn away from each other at Club 23 in the early hours of New Year's Day.

Ms Taylor said she saw the two men "in each other's faces", and was trying to push them apart when Sgt Meredith shoved her in the chest, pushing her back.

She said Mr Martyn was moving away, and the next thing she saw was Sgt Meredith on the floor.

He died the next day in Royal Darwin Hospital.

The hearing started in May, resumed this week and is expected to finish tomorrow.

Former NT Police employee to plead guilty

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September 22nd, 2010

A lawyer representing a former NT Police employee has told Darwin Magistrates Court his client, Paula Tsan Martins Da Costa will plead guilty to charges including stealing and resisting police.

36-year-old Da Costa was arrested at Casuarina Square shopping centre in May, after she was allegedly caught stealing items from a womens sports store.

Following Da Costa's arrest, she was escorted to her vehicle in the shopping centre car park. Here, it's alleged Da Costa attempted to flee from police in her vehicle.

Prosecutor Amanda Nobbs told Darwin Magistrates Court, Da Costa had agreed to plead guilty to nine charges.

The hearing has been delayed until Da Costa and her lawyer Peter Maley can review an additional eight charges which were laid this morning, according Mr Maley.

"30 seconds before walking in I've been shown the new charges. In fairness, my client has just been given this," Mr Maley told the court.

The new charges relate to items allegedly found in the possession of Ms Da Costa, which were identified as stolen by their owners on Monday.

At the time of Ms Da Costa's arrest in May, police established she had $4,400 worth of stolen property in her possession.

Ms Da Costa was a civilian police employee based at the Peter Macaulay Centre at the time of her arrest.

Inquiry reveals slip-ups in police recruitment

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September 22, 2010

A GOLD Coast woman was able join the Queensland Police Service despite having received electric shock therapy for mental problems and taking months of sick leave in her previous job with Queensland Health.

Another now-disgraced Gold Coast police officer also managed to get his badge after being charged with hooning and speeding offences, including one while he was still at the police academy.

The recruiting slip-ups were highlighted today on Day 3 of the Crime and Misconduct Commission's Operation Tesco inquiry into Gold Coast police.

CMC barrister John Allen questioned QPS human resources director Patricia Jones about recruiting policies and standards.

He cited three 'case studies' of recruitments-gone-wrong, including two Gold Coast officers who have been adversely named at the inquiry.

One officer, codenamed G7, was arrested in January in a CMC raid on a Fortitude Valley apartment where 30 ecstasy pills, two bags of amphetamine and steroids were found.

The officer has admitted to taking ecstasy, dealing 'black market' steroids and improperly processing bouncer licence applications at a nightclub where he also received free drinks.

Mr Allen said the officer was suspended from the academy for 12 months after being caught speeding in excess of 40km/h, but was re-admitted after satisfying a review panel he was fit to continue training.

"I think there's many members of the Queensland Police Service who regret that he did,'' he said.

Mr Allen also cited the case of female officer, G5, who was caught on tape during the Operation Tesco investigation telling a male colleague she wanted to catch up 'for a giggle and a snort'.

The barrister revealed G5 had failed to disclose she had medical problems and had undergone electric shock treatment for psychiatric problems.

He said the woman, who took almost 12 months' sick leave while working at the Gold Coast Hospital, went on sick leave as soon as she became a constable.

Ms Jones said the woman had blatatly lied on her police job application.

She said she would welcome suggestions to improve recruiting practices but there were also significant barriers' including privacy legislation.

Six Gold Coast police officers on steroids 'for no reason'

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September 22, 2010

SIX Gold Coast police were found to be using anabolic steroids for no medical reason, the Crime and Misconduct Commission inquiry has been told.

The Gold Coast's top cop, Superintendent Jim Keogh, on Tuesday told the Operation Tesco inquiry he suspected some younger officers were using steroids after complaints about excessive use of force during arrests.

Today, counsel assisting the inquiry, John Allen, questioned Queensland Police Services human resources director Patricia Jones about steroid use among police.

He told the inquiry that six officers, most working in Surfers Paradise, were prescribed anabolic steroids by one doctor despite having no health problems.

Mr Allen said the officers wanted the steroids to counter tiredness, lethargy or because they 'were just wanting to be bigger'.

The steroids would have been illegal if they were not given on prescription, Mr Allen said.

He said a steroid expert interviewed by the CMC said there was a tendency for non-medical users to take high doses and to sometimes mix them with black market steroids or illicit drugs, and some users could become angry and aggressive.

Mr Allen suggested it might be 'of concern' that armed police might be using steroids.

Ms Jones said posters were placed in all police stations warning officers about the use of medication.

She said officers suspected of being unfit for duty could be ordered to see an independent doctor.

Ms Jones said random drug testing was not carried out by the QPS but since 2005, 13,400 officers and recruits undergone 'reasonable suspicion' tests for drugs and alcohol.

Only one positive drug test and four positive alcohol results had been returned, she said.

Ms Jones said random drug testing was estimated to cost about $500,000 a year and there were no plans to introduce it.

"For $500,000, I could possibly employ four to five more police officers (so) the question becomes, 'what's the cost benefit?', she said.

Ms Jones said concerns about police abusing medication had to be balanced against privacy issues.

Police officer charged with assault, threats to kill

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September 21, 2010 - 4:24PM

A Ballarat police officer has been charged with assault and threats to kill.

The senior constable was bailed by Ballarat Magistrates Court this morning on charges of recklessly causing injury, threats to kill and unlawful assault, Victoria Police said in a statement.

The charges followed an interview by the police Ethical Standards Department this morning.

The senior constable was already suspended from duty on "unrelated matters", police said.

He is due to reappear in court on November 8.

Officer-in-charge at Four Queensland police shot by own Tasers

September 21, 2010

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FOUR police officers have managed to Taser themselves in the six months since the controversial devices were first rolled out.

WorkCover claims over the 18 months to June reveal a slew of personal injuries including 460 assaults, 254 exposures to bodily fluid, 47 animal bites/stings, seven needle penetrations and four shootings.

The figures indicate about one in 10 police made a WorkCover claim via their internal workplace intranet.

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said the shocking nature of the claims gives more weight to their battle with the Government for a better wages deal.

Injury complaints included awkward posture (123), falls from height (41), traumatic events (53), shot by a firearm or other weapon (4), caught in between objects (29) and falls from a vehicle (31).

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Give them the pay rise they deserve Anna you tight arse. I didn't see you or your ministers walking in a coppers shoes for a shift instead you did "soft" and safe options.

That aside - I've never discharged a weapon by accident but I suppose only the Police should have guns (as per blog title)

Police officer charged after recording a blood-alcohol content more the twice the limit

September 21, 2010

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A TOWNSVILLE police officer has been charged with drink driving after recording a blood-alcohol content more than twice the legal limit.

The 40-year-old senior constable registered 0.103 per cent when he was pulled over on Monday. The legal limit is 0.05 per cent.

"The officer was off duty and in a private vehicle when he was breath-tested by police in North Ward about 2am,'' police said in a statement.

He will face the Townsville Magistrates Court on October 4.

The officer is also subject to police disciplinary procedures.

Police face drugs charges: CMC

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September 20, 2010


SERIOUS charges are set to be laid against 10 people, including current and former police, after allegations of Gold Coast police using drugs, associating with criminals and turning a blind eye to crimes including nightclub drug rapes.

Six police are also facing disciplinary action as a result of the Crime and Misconduct Commission's Operation Tesco probe into Gold Coast police misconduct.

The first day of Operation Tesco's public hearings has heard explosive evidence of Coast police stroking the Glitter Strip's dark underbelly.

In his opening address, counsel assisting the inquiry, John Allen, said Operation Tesco was sparked after eyewitness accounts of Gold Coast police taking drugs and being paid bribes by criminals for tip-offs.

Mr Allen said while the allegations were not proven, they were a 'significant trigger' for Tesco which had uncovered 'significant evidence' of police having improper associations with criminals and providing them with confidential information.

The inquiry was told drugs including 30 ecstasy pills and two bags of amphetamine were found during a raid in January this year on a Brisbane apartment where a Gold Coast police officer codenamed G7, and associates including a suspected drug supplier, were staying.

During secret hearings, officer G7 admitted to taking ecstasy, using and supply 'black market' steroids and receiving $100 drink cards at Surfers Paradise nightclubs and improperly processing bouncer licence applications.

Officer G7 had also admitted to using the police computer to do criminal checks on girlfriends.

Another officer, D1, admitted to associating with drug dealers and said the receipt of free drinks was 'common knowledge' among senior police. He said Gold Coast police also received free McDonald's meals and tickets to Gold Coast Titans games.

The hearing was also told that the use of 'blue light taxis' to ferry off-duty officers, friends and family to and from nightclubs and social functions was a longstanding and accepted practice among Gold Coast police.

Mr Allen said there were reports some police whistleblowers were 'harassed, intimidated, victimised and humiliated' for co-operating with the inquiry.

He said the CMC expected to lay charges against one current and one former officer and recommend disciplinary action against a further six officers.

``Criminal charges are also expected to be laid against eight civilians, most of those being in connection with serious drug offences,'' he said.

The hearing is set to run for five days and will continue this afternoon with the first police witnesses

Queensland Police under siege as complaints skyrocket

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COMPLAINTS against police are up by almost a quarter in the past year with an average of eight officers a day being accused of offences ranging from sexual misconduct to assault.

In the 12 months to June 30, 3011 complaints were received by the Ethical Standards Command compared with 2443 last year.

More than one in four of those complaints related to police behaviour that was allegedly "disgraceful, improper or unbecoming of an officer", while more than 600 complaints accused police of assault. There were more than 20 complaints of sexual misconduct, 60 of misappropriation or theft and more than 10 traffic offence matters.

About one in four complaints were made by police themselves against fellow officers, with the remainder lodged by members of the public or referred to police by the Crime and Misconduct Commission.

A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said "extensive media coverage" of the QPS may have contributed to the higher levels of complaints.

"The QPS takes all complaints seriously and is constantly monitoring the number and nature of complaints received," she said.

"The service is also continuing to review and examine all aspects of the increase in reported complaints to identify the primary contributing factors."

Complaints referred by police to the CMC as well as those made directly to the anti-corruption body jumped 23 per cent to 2529 in 2009-10.

"Of those complaints against police, the CMC assessed 2518 matters, referring 2280 to the QPS to deal with subject to monitoring by the CMC," said a commission spokeswoman.

The mountain of alleged offences has created a huge backlog of work for the police Ethical Standards Command with 1145 investigations open on March 31.

Of those, 14 were more than two years old and another 74 more than 12 months old.

State Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek said the figures showed why the police discipline process needed to be overhauled.

"Complaints against police shouldn't be taking more than a year to be resolved and police shouldn't be off-duty for months on end waiting for an investigation to be finalised," Mr Langbroek said. "If action is necessary it should be taken and taken quickly."

Police Minister Neil Roberts said only 3.6 per cent of complaints made in 2009 were substantiated.

"Police interact with members of the public on a daily basis and it's important to remember that the majority of these interactions occur in a very emotive environment."

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said he had discussed ways to streamline the police complaints process with QPS senior management and the CMC but as yet no reforms had been undertaken.

CMC raid on Gold Coast cop's home allegedly finds drugs

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IN the latest blow for Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson, a Gold Coast officer has been stood down following a Crime and Misconduct Commission raid on his home.

The CMC has confirmed the raid on the constable's house at Burleigh Waters on Wednesday night, in which a quantity of drugs was allegedly found.

A CMC spokeswoman said the raid was not linked to Operation Tesco - the investigation mounted by the commission into alleged police misconduct on the Gold Coast.

Three officers have been stood down as a result of the operation and at least one is facing criminal charges.

Cop arrested for child sex offences

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A POLICE officer has been arrested for child sex offences.

The officer, 27, was arrested today by detectives from the Sexual Crime Investigation Branch and charged with making a child amenable to sexual activity.

He has been suspended from duty and was given police bail to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court next month.

Second cop in fraud inquiry

August 31st, 2010

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A POLICE inquiry into fraud allegations is believed to have widened to include a second officer.

Police last week announced that a senior officer had been suspended on full pay while an investigation was under way. No more details were given.

But the NT News has been told that members of the Ethical and Professional Standards Command - the police "internal affairs" department - is looking into claims that a well-known officer cheated $320,000 on a work-issued credit card.

A second officer - a friend of the first officer and of the same rank - is also said to now be under investigation.

The NT News has been told the credit card was used for "personal spending".

The police said in a brief statement last week that allegations of "fraudulent activity" were being probed and the officer had been suspended under section 80 of the Police Administration Act.

The officer would face criminal charges if the claims were proved.

Police said "no identifying details" about the officer would be released.

The NT News has obtained the names of both officers.

The police have been racked by a string of scandals in the past few months.

A civilian police worker is facing court after allegedly stealing clothes. She was sacked immediately.

Some officers have questioned why she was dismissed so promptly, yet the senior officer has been allowed to go home on full pay.