Flori points to reprisals
ALLEGED whistleblower cop Rick Flori has accused a senior detective of colluding with a top-ranking police officer to bring criminal charges against him.
Sergeant Flori, who is fighting charges of misconduct in public office after allegedly leaking CCTV footage of a vicious assault against a handcuffed man at the Surfers Paradise Police Station in 2012, yesterday applied to the Southport District Court to have his case thrown out.
Flori, who represented himself in a pre-trial hearing yesterday, has made an application for a permanent stay on the proceedings, saying there has been an abuse of process and he was unfairly targeted because of police reprisals against him.
Flori argued the investigating officer – Detective Inspector David Winter – spoke with then Assistant Commissioner Clem O’Regan, who allegedly told him to press criminal charges after the Brisbane Supreme Court quashed disciplinary action against Flori.
He also claimed Det Insp Winter had spoken with Queensland Police Service Legal Group lawyer, Calvin Gnech, which resulted in union funding for his matter being withdrawn.
“They brought the matter before the court because of reprisals,” Flori said. “They are bringing the matter before the court ... abusing the court’s process. It’s oppressive in their behaviours. It certainly doesn’t relate to CCTV.”
The allegations were strongly denied by Det Insp Winter, who during evidence labelled them as “rubbish” and “absolutely ridiculous”.
“In 30 years of policing I have never entertained an idea I would punish anyone. I investigate and prosecute,” he said.
“I don’t care if you are a certain police officer or what your walk of life may be ... if there is evidence there I will refer to the court and prosecute.”
Mr Flori asked if Assistant Commissioner O’Regan had “directed” Det Insp Winter to press charges.
“No. That is absolutely ridiculous,” he said. “If there was a meeting about you ... it would be in my diary.”
Flori also tried to argue the decision to press criminal charges after recommendations for disciplinary proceedings amounted to an “improper purpose for bringing the action”.
The Courier-Mail journalist Jeremy Pierce was also called to give evidence.
The pre-trial hearing continue on September 6.
THEY BROUGHT THE MATTER BEFORE THE COURT BECAUSE OF REPRISALS. THEY ARE ... ABUSING THE COURT’S PROCESS RICK FLORI
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