Hush on alleged police thieving

THE state corruption watchdog is continuing its investigation into a senior Townsville police officer accused of stealing $ 28,000 from a charity.

The high- ranking officer allegedly spent the charity’s money on accommodation, gambling on poker machines and servicing his boat over a four- year period.

The matter first came to light in August last year, with the Queensland Police Service Ethical Standards Command ( ESC) completing its own investigation late last year.

At the time, the ESC confirmed it was investigating the “charity fundraising activities of an officer based at the QPS Northern Region”.

The matter was then referred to the Crime and Corruption Commission for review, with the watchdog taking over the investigation in November last year.

The ESC refused to comment on whether the senior officer was still on the books.

But sources told the Bulletin the veteran had been “moved around” since the alleged offending came to light.

It is understood QPS has not issued unprompted media statements regarding the investigation despite regularly posting information about alleged offending by other police.

Recently, the QPS revealed that two Northern Region

Sometimes

these matters take time to investigate

PAUL TAYLOR

constables had been stood down from official policing duties following allegations they had used excessive force and failed to treat a member of the public with dignity and respect.

The two officers were from Townsville and were the subjects of a disciplinary investigation, but the allegations had not yet been substantiated.

Northern Region Acting Assistant Commissioner Paul Taylor said the senior officer had been taken off official duties.

“The CCC has carriage of it ( the alleged theft). Sometimes these matters take time to investigate,” he said.

But former Northern Territory police officer Steven Isles, whose father was investigated and cleared of wrongdoing, criticised the “cone of silence” surrounding the senior officer.

His father Senior Sergeant Mick Isles vanished, and presumedly took his own life, in 2009 just days after being cleared of any wrongdoing.

“You have a senior ranking officer, in a position of trust, who has allegedly stolen money from a charity,” Mr Isles said. “The code of secrecy says the media is allowed to ask questions but no one is obliged to answer them.”