The Authority oversaw a Police investigation into a matter where an officer had accessed the Police database for non-work-related reasons and failed to recognise that they had a conflict of interest in a matter involving their family member and Police.
A family member contacted the officer while they were off-duty to seek advice about a family dispute. The officer agreed to go with the family member to a third party's house, so the family member could discuss the matter with their estranged partner. Prior to going to this address, the officer decided to check relevant information on the Police database to satisfy themselves about the safety of the situation.
Two days later, the matter escalated, and the officer's family member was arrested. Another family member rang the off-duty officer and handed the phone to the arresting officer, advising them that the person on the phone was also a Police officer. The off-duty officer confirmed this was the case. However, it was a conflict of interest for the off-duty officer to involve themselves in the arrest.
Police undertook an employment process and upheld the allegations.
The Authority is satisfied with Police's investigation into this matter and agrees with the outcome reached.
IPCA: 25-26722