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‘No one is above the law’: police data reveals sexual assault among charges laid against 78 Victorian officers | ‘No one is above the law’: police data reveals sexual assault among charges laid against 78 Victorian officers |
(32 minutes later) | |
Sexual assault, intentionally causing injury and unlawful assault among most common charges against police | Sexual assault, intentionally causing injury and unlawful assault among most common charges against police |
Dozens of police officers in Victoria are facing criminal charges, including sexual assault and intentionally causing injury. | Dozens of police officers in Victoria are facing criminal charges, including sexual assault and intentionally causing injury. |
A total of 78 officers and public transport police, known as protective services officers, were facing charges for criminal or traffic offences as of 16 April. | |
Data released by the force show that sexual assault, intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing injury and unlawful assault were the most common charges. | Data released by the force show that sexual assault, intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing injury and unlawful assault were the most common charges. |
They relate to alleged incidents that happened while officers were either working or off duty. | They relate to alleged incidents that happened while officers were either working or off duty. |
There were 68 police officers and five public transport police facing criminal charges, while five officers are charged with traffic offences. | There were 68 police officers and five public transport police facing criminal charges, while five officers are charged with traffic offences. |
The group includes 26 leading senior constables, 20 senior constables, 14 sergeants, seven first constables, five senior sergeants and one ranked inspector or above. | The group includes 26 leading senior constables, 20 senior constables, 14 sergeants, seven first constables, five senior sergeants and one ranked inspector or above. |
They are waiting for a court hearing or for their case to be finalised, which can take years. | They are waiting for a court hearing or for their case to be finalised, which can take years. |
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A spokesperson for Victoria police said the force would not be deterred from investigating complaints against officers regardless of their rank, position or tenure. | A spokesperson for Victoria police said the force would not be deterred from investigating complaints against officers regardless of their rank, position or tenure. |
“No one in Victoria police is above the law. The authority and responsibility entrusted in police means they should be rightly held to a higher standard than the rest of the community, both on and off duty.” | |
The spokesperson said some officers facing charges resigned before their case got to court. Disciplinary action could start only once cases were finalised and include dismissal, fines, a pay cut or inability to be promoted. | |
Of the 78 members currently facing charges, 15 have been suspended with pay, 16 transferred to other duties and 13 suspended without pay. | Of the 78 members currently facing charges, 15 have been suspended with pay, 16 transferred to other duties and 13 suspended without pay. |
The remaining 34 have no interim action against them. | The remaining 34 have no interim action against them. |
About 17,900 people work as police or public transport police. | About 17,900 people work as police or public transport police. |
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