The Authority oversaw a Police investigation into an incident where an officer presented an armed and loaded Taser at another officer in the watchhouse at a Police station.
Officer A and Authorised Officer B were completing paperwork at the start of a nightshift and had some brief discussions. During a break in conversation, Officer A drew her Taser without provocation and pointed it directly at Authorised Officer B, who was about two meters away sitting at his desk. Officer A then turned on the Taser, making it capable of deploying a cartridge. The Taser was loaded at the time. After a few seconds, Officer A holstered her Taser and left the room.
The Police investigation found that Officer A accepted responsibility for the incident, saying that she presented the Taser as part of a joke. It also identified and explored other alleged incidents of Officer A pointing her Taser at other officers in similar circumstances.
Police decided that there was sufficient evidence to charge Officer A with presenting a restricted weapon (a Taser) under the Arms Act 1983. However, they decided that a prosecution was not warranted in the public interest, and instead carried out a confidential employment process.
The Authority is satisfied with the investigation Police undertook and the outcome reached.
IPCA: 25-27095