A NORTH-WEST police officer has been charged with maintaining a sexual relationship with a young person. The offence is alleged to have occurred over a period between 1996 and 1998, prior to the 42-year-old joining Tasmania Police.
The officer has been suspended from duty and has been summoned to appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court at a later date.
Police Association of Tasmania, the union of Tasmania police officers, strongly opposed the publication of the charges, saying it undermines the presumption of innocence.
“Today’s release regarding a 42-year-old male police officer from the North-West of the state having been charged with one count of maintaining a sexual relationship with a young person does nothing to serve the public interest or demonstrate transparency,” association president Colin Riley said.
“The matter is appropriately before the courts and the member has been suspended pending the outcome of the court process.”
Mr Riley said the allegations are more than 20 years old and the member involved will be vigorously defending the charge.
“The Police Association appreciates the public interest value in publicising such matters if an officer is convicted - after due process has been applied in the courts.”
Tasmania Police dismissed the criticisms.
“In the interests of accountability and transparency Tasmania Police has a policy of publishing media releases in the very rare event that an officer is charged with an offence,” a spokesperson said.
“Tasmania Police regularly issues media releases when a member of the public is charged with an offence of this nature.”
Source : https://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/5847156/coastal-cop-charged-with-sex-offence/
