A 25-year-old Queensland Police Service (QPS) Constable has today been charged with 38 criminal offences following a cooperative investigation between the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) and the QPS Ethical Standards Command.
This matter was first identified by the QPS and it was then referred to the CCC. The investigation was focused on allegations of drug use by the Constable.
Earlier today, the 25-year-old Constable was arrested and formally charged at the Brisbane City Watchhouse with the following drug-related offences:
- 9 x possessing a dangerous drug contrary to section 9 of the Drugs Misuse Act 1986
- 20 x supplying a dangerous drug contrary to section 6 of the Drugs Misuse Act 1986
- 4 x permitting use of place contrary to section 11 of the Drugs Misuse Act 1986
- 1 x possessing suspected property contrary to section 10A(1)(b) of the Drugs Misuse Act 1986
- 1 x possessing things contrary to section 10(1)(b) of the Drugs Misuse Act 1986
Investigators will also allege the Constable inappropriately accessed the police database, stole police property and committed a firearm offence. As a result, the Constable has also been charged with:
- 1 x computer hacking contrary to section 408E of the Queensland Criminal Code
- 1 x stealing by persons in the public service contrary to section 398(5) of the Queensland Criminal Code
- 1 x unlawful possession of a weapon contrary to section 50(1)(c) of the Weapons Act 1990
CCC Chairperson, Alan MacSporran QC, said the alleged offending is concerning.
“The alleged conduct that has been uncovered during this cooperative investigation is serious, and it highlights the obvious hypocrisy of a situation where a police officer who allegedly engages in drug use in a personal capacity while off-duty can then return to work and investigate other members of the community for criminal offences,” Mr MacSporran said.
“Apart from the potential work, health and safety issues of working in a front-line policing role in the days after consuming drugs, any officer involved in this type of conduct leaves themselves open to be compromised by criminals or other associates who have the knowledge that the officer is involved in the purchasing, supplying and consuming of illegal drugs. This is a corruption risk and I urge police officers who may be considering personal drug use to consider the ramifications of engaging in illegal activity, no matter how minor or trivial they may think it is.
“While the vast majority of Queensland Police Service officers act with the upmost of integrity and serve our community every day, recreational use of drugs occurs in all sectors of society and police officers need to be conscious of their obligations and the impacts of engaging in this type of illegal activity.”
The 25-year-old Constable received watchhouse bail and is expected to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on 19 August 2021.
As this matter is now before the court, the CCC is unable to comment further.
The CCC is an independent agency combating major crime and reducing corruption for the benefit of the Queensland community.
ENDS
