DV problem in police force

Twenty-one police officers have been charged with 82 domestic violence-related offences in the past year, including stalking, choking, sexual assault, intimidation and even resisting arrest by their colleagues.

The data comes from a NSW Police incident report involving DV-related charges of officers. The alleged offenders include two sergeants, 11 senior constables, seven constables and one probationary officer. Some include contravening previously court mandated domestic violence orders or restrictions and also attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Of these, 17 officers were men and four women.

The figure is a slight rise from the 19 officers charged in the previous year.

A police spokeswoman said, regardless of rank or the fact they are officers of the law, they would all face the same criminal justice system as someone from the community.

She said the officers could be suspended from duty with or without pay or placed on restricted duties and, in all cases, would not be in possession or be able to access firearms.

“Each of these courses of action are dependent upon the gravity of the offence and the risk to the person who needs protection, that being the other domestic partner, and managing the risk to the community and fellow work colleagues,” she said.

“Irrespective of the determination of guilt or a penalty delivered by the court system, the organisation has the ability to investigate the matter internally and deliver a range of penalties and sanctions.”

These include loss of rank, formal warnings and in “severe cases” sacking from the force. One male constable was facing five charges including intentionally choke, stalk and intimidation intended to cause fear and physical harm.