Media Release - Presention of LECC Report Operation Torrens

LECC Report into investigation of NSWPF officer using prohibited drugs and associating with users of prohibited drugs

Media Release

24.03.2022

LECC Report into investigation of NSWPF officer using prohibited drugs and associating with users of prohibited drugs

The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (‘the Commission’) furnished its report in Operation Torrens to Parliament today.

The Commission investigated the conduct of an officer of the NSW Police Force (‘NSWPF’) who was alleged to have used cocaine during a Christmas function in 2020, and also to have been associating with users of prohibited drugs.

A private examination was conducted on 1 December 2021, where the officer was found to have associates, both civilians and NSWPF officers, whom he joked with about the use of prohibited drugs. Whilst there was no evidence that the officer himself had used prohibited drugs during his time with the NSWPF, it was clear that he knew some of his associates were users of prohibited drugs. These associations were not declared by him to the NSWPF.

Findings

The Commission is satisfied that by associating with persons he knew were users of prohibited drugs, and by not declaring these associations to the NSPWF, the officer has acted contrary to Rule 7 of the NSWPF Code of Conduct and Ethics.

The Commission recommends that consideration be given to the taking of non-reviewable action under s 173 of the Police Act 1990 by the NSW Police Force against the officer, namely counselling and assistance for the officer in relation to his obligations arising from Rule 7 of the NSWPF Code of Conduct and Ethics.

The Operation Torrens report can be accessed on the Commission’s website.