Media Release - Operation Coolum

Operation Coolum arose from a complaint referred to the Commission by the NSW Police Force. The complaint concerned an allegation by a junior police officer that in 2019, she was sexually harassed at home by her commanding officer.

Media Release

30.11.2020

The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission furnished its report entitled Operation Coolum to Parliament today. Operation Coolum arose from a complaint referred to it by the NSW Police Force (‘NSWPF’). The complaint concerned an allegation by a junior police officer that, in 2019, she was sexually harassed at home by her commanding officer.

The Commission’s investigation focused upon the allegation made against the Commander regarding his behaviour towards the officer, which included giving her preferential treatment over other officers and his attempt to cover this up by telling lies to work colleagues. During the course of the investigation, the Commission conducted a number of private hearings which resulted in a total of 7 witnesses being called to give evidence.

The Commission found that the complaint of sexual harassment was sustained and amounted to serious misconduct by the Commander. Allegations of the Commander lying to work colleagues and acting in a manner inconsistent with the NSW Police Force Code of Conduct and Ethics were also sustained and found to constitute serious misconduct.

The Commission made two recommendations to the Commissioner of Police, the first being that the Commissioner give consideration to dismissing the Commander on the grounds that his behaviour breached the NSWPF Guideline and Statement in relation to Workplace Behaviour and was also contrary to the NSWPF Code of Conduct and Ethics. The second recommendation was that the Commissioner undertake a review of its policies and guidelines in regard to the steps to be taken by staff when a welfare check is to be conducted upon an injured officer.

The Operation Coolum report can be found of the Commission’s website.