OFFICER FINED FOR ISO TRIP
A CAPE York police officer who works in a remote indigenous community was allegedly on an out-oftown shopping trip when she was pulled over by colleagues and fined for breaching COVID-19 rules.
The constable was allegedly pulled over in a vehicle a significant distance from the community where she works and issued with the $1334 fine on Good Friday. A police spokeswoman confirmed she was off duty at the time.
The Cairns Post understands there was at least one other person in the vehicle when it was pulled over, but police could not confirm by deadline last night.
Police Minister Mark Ryan said he expected “the highest standards” from police.
“I expect the highest standards of ethical and professional behaviour from all members of the Queensland Police Service at all times,” he said.
“Like all other Queenslanders, I expect all police officers to comply with the directions of the Chief Health Officer, at all times.”
The police spokeswoman said the fine was for allegedly failing to comply with a COVID-19 direction issued by the Chief Health Officer.
“Police will allege the officer failed to comply with the social-distancing rules and travelling for non-essential business on Friday, April 10, whilst off-duty,” she said.
“The QPS continues to enforce the directions of the Chief Health Officer as we work to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
“We urge everyone to follow the public health directions, employ social distancing practices and avoid unnecessary travel so we can limit the spread of coronavirus.”
Deputy Commissioner Paul Taylor, who oversees all of regional Queensland, did not wish to comment on the matter.
Cape York is subject to a strict lockdown due to the vulnerability of the indigenous communities.
Multiple roadblocks are in place around the Cape to prevent access to the communities for non-essential reasons.