COPS AND DOBBERS
Officer accused of covering up his ex-wife’s drink driving
A TOWNSVILLE cop is facing criminal charges and his career is in jeopardy after allegedly letting his ex-wife get away with drink driving.
Senior-constable Benjamin Stewart Shannon, a general duties police officer in the Townsville Police District, has been charged with misconduct in relation to a public office after a whistleblower brought him to the attention of Ethical Standards Command. Court documents viewed by the Townsville Bulletin reveal it will be alleged Sen-constable Shannon failed to commence proceedings for drink driving against Amber Rose Shannon on June 23, 2019.
“Benjamin Stewart Shannon being employed as a public officer with intent to dishonestly gain a benefit for Amber Rose Shannon failed to perform a function, namely commence proceedings for drink driving,” the documents stated. The offence is alleged to have occurred on Woolcock St between Mather St and Weston St at Mount Louisa.
Sources told the Bulletin Sen-constable Shannon attended the scene after his exwife Amber Rose Shannon crashed her car.
It is understood the crash was relatively minor, involving a car tyre being popped because the vehicle mounted a kerb. It will be alleged that when the general duties officer arrived at the scene he used a roadside breath testing device on his former partner.
“With a breath test, the device you use can be set to like a “test” setting,” a police source told the Bulletin. “So it still shows a reading but it isn’t the official one.”
An unknown whistleblower is understood to have raised concerns over the incident prompting an investigation by Ethical Standards Command, the Queensland Police Service (QPS) body responsible for investigating internal matters and promoting ethical behaviour within the force.
Sen-constable Shannon was suspended from the QPS last week after being charged with the offence of misconduct in relation to a public office. He had previously been stood down on August 23, 2019 in relation to another matter.
Court documents show Sen-constable Shannon was bailed to appear in Townsville Magistrates Court on September 27.
As part of the conditions of his bail he is unable to have any contact whatever with his ex-wife Amber Rose Shannon, or five other police officers who are expected to be called as witnesses against Sen-constable Shannon should the matter go to trial. Sources told the Bulletin the Queensland Police Union is paying for a barrister from Brisbane to represent the officer.
It is understood Sen-constable Shannon wishes to return to work as a police officer in the future. The maximum penalty for misconduct in relation to a public office to benefit another is seven years’ jail.
It is understood no charges have been laid against Amber Rose Shannon.