The Authority oversaw a Police investigation into two officers’ conduct after receiving information of inappropriate activity between them and a civilian (Ms Z) whilst on duty.
Officer B, and his field training officer, Officer A, were working together during a nightshift. In the early morning, the officers conducted a routine traffic stop of Ms Z and queried her in the Police database. Officer A subsequently contacted Ms Z by text message, resulting in an inappropriate conversation, which Officer B was unaware of.
The officers separately conducted several further queries of Ms Z in the Police database towards the end of their shift.
The next night, the officers were again working together during a nightshift when Officer A received a phone call from an intoxicated Ms Z, who requested a ride home from her workplace. The officers drove Ms Z home and were invited inside.
Officer B became uncomfortable with being in the address, returning to the patrol vehicle parked outside, leaving Officer A and Ms Z inside the address for an extended period of time. While together inside the address Officer A and Ms Z engaged in consensual sexual activity. Officer B conducted additional queries of Ms Z within the Police database due to concerns he held for the actions of Officer A with Ms Z.
Over the next several weeks, Officer A returned to Ms Z’s address by himself twice while on duty, and on both occasions engaged in sexual activity with Ms Z. On one of these occasions, Officer A left Police equipment at the address and returned to retrieve it after being made aware by Ms Z. Officer A shared digital images of Police activity with Ms Z. Officer A also completed a large number of further queries of Ms Z in the Police database.
The investigation explored the officers’ alleged misuse of the Police database and sharing of Police information but found that there was insufficient evidence to prove a criminal offence. Officer A resigned from Police during the investigation. Police concluded the employment process for him in accordance with Public Service Commission’s guidelines. Officer B was subject to a confidential employment process.
The Authority is satisfied with the investigation Police undertook and the outcome reached for both officers.
IPCA: 24-23494