Queensland cop suspended over motorbike incident

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A QUEENSLAND cop who raced away from NSW police when they tried to pull him over while he was riding his motorbike has been stood down.

It is believed the incident involving the 42-year-old constable happened in 2009 and that he subsequently lied to investigators about the matter.

The officer is from the south east police region, which takes in the Gold Coast, Logan and Coomera.

It is another blow to the reputation of Queensland police, coming just three days after another officer was stood down.

Last Saturday, a constable from the north coast region was suspended for allegedly committing a domestic violence offence whilst off duty.

"No further details are able to be released at this time as his alleged actions are currently subject to an ongoing internal disciplinary investigation," a QPS statement read.

Both officers can appeal the decisions but neither has the backing of the Queensland Police Union which was criticised earlier this year for routinely defending "indefensible" actions by some officers.

"We are not representing either officer in these matters," a QPU spokesman said.

Darwin cop denies fraud

May 19th, 2011

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THE lawyer for a police superintendent accused of fraud said she was not committing a criminal offence by using a corporate credit card to pay for her sister's carpark.

Darwin Superintendent Nouvelle Denise Reed, is facing six charges of obtaining property by deception and making false claims worth $667.

It is alleged Supt Reed used a corporate credit card and petty cash to pay for seven months of inner-city car parking for her sister, Selina Kliendienst, a police administration assistant.

Supt Reed is also accused of using a corporate credit card to buy a cap for $16.95 and then falsely claiming the expense as fuel.

In Darwin Magistrates Court Supt Reed's lawyer Peter Elliott argued there was no law stating she could not purchase a carpark for a police administration assistant.

"A lot of the witnesses said they would under no circumstances approve it because it is against policy. That is irrelevant, because it does not make criminal what is not criminal," he said.

The case was adjourned for prosecuting lawyer Elisabeth Armitage to prepare her written submissions.

Police officers' zeal was illegal, court says

May 21, 2011 12:00AM

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A FORMER policewoman sobbed and clutched her ex-cop boyfriend's arm in court yesterday as the pair was sentenced for fabricating evidence after an illegal search and covering up their conduct.

Sharon Lucas and Michael Jason Cox were given suspended jail sentences following the October 2008 incident in Wagga Wagga.

Cox was given a two-year suspended jail term, and Lucas 18 months, after District Court Judge Paul Lakatos found they had let their "zeal overcome their better judgment".

Both had pleaded guilty to fabricating evidence with intent to mislead a judicial tribunal, while Cox had admitted to an additional charge of officer neglecting his duty.

The pair and two other officers, Peter Robert Fletcher and Andrew John Brookes, were involved in the illegal search of a suspected thief's home, after they allegedly found keys to the property in a wallet belonging to the suspected thief.

Cox put through a bogus police radio call in an attempt to justify his actions, while another unidentified officer allegedly took a bag of drugs into the suspect's home, planting it there.

The court heard of a covertly recorded telephone call in which the various police officers discussed meeting up for a beer to make sure their statements reflected the same story - to "make sure we're kosher", one allegedly said.

The pair was arrested in early 2009. Judge Lakatos said he accepted the criminal behaviour wasn't planned and was reasonably spontaneous, but said they had "displayed no insight into the illegality involved" in their conduct.

"In my view that fact raises questions [about police education and training]," he said.

The judge expressed some concern that there was a "culture which justifies improper conduct" within the NSW police force, and even mid-ranking officers were unaware of their responsibilities.

However, he said that was a matter for the hierarchy of the NSW Police Force.

Despite initially thinking their expressions of remorse might be "self-serving", Judge Lakatos said he ultimately believed those who knew them best could appreciate that they were genuine.

"The likelihood of reoffending is nil or minimal," he said.

The pair was also required to enter into good behaviour bonds for the length of their suspended sentences.