Cop ‘just snapped’ over sly groggers

A FAR Northern police officer shouted “you’re killing the people in our community” as he manhandled three sly grog runners.

The three youths were busted on a road just outside Kowanyama, which is under the alcohol management plan, on October 29 last year.

It had been acting Senior Sergeant Peter Simpson’s last day as officer in charge of the Kowanyama station and he snapped, the Cairns Magistrates Court was told.

Sgt Simpson grabbed each youth by the shirt and pushed them around.

His actions were born of frustration over an ongoing battle against sly grogging, Simpson’s solicitor Calvin Gnech said.

The 48-year-old has spent four years working in the community. The court was told that Simpson had been one of the first responding officers after a car was allegedly driven into a home in October 2016 which resulted in one woman dead and 26 injured. As a result he was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder.

The day after the assault Simpson publicly apologised.

Simpson was initially suspended, but then just stood down from active duty.

Magistrate Kevin Priestly said Simpson presented as “passionate and committed” to protecting the community

“You were at the end of your tether,” Mr Priestly said.

“You effectively ... snapped and your emotions got the better of you.”

Mr Priestly accepted that it was out of character.

Simpson was placed on a $700 12-month good behaviour bond and a conviction was not recorded.

Queensland Police Union general secretary Mick Barnes said it was a good outcome.

“Sergeant Simpson is an officer of the Queensland Police Service, who’s been committed to the ideals of policing in indigenous communities,” Mr Barnes said.