The Authority oversaw a Police investigation into a complaint made to Police by a member of the public about a neighbour’s threatening behaviour about parking in a shared driveway in August 2023. At the time the complainant contacted Police, they were unaware that the person they were complaining about was a Police officer.
Immediately prior to the confrontation, the off-duty officer had rung the complainant’s personal mobile number and used a version of their name that caused the complainant to become concerned about how they had come by these and other personal details.
Police investigated and found the officer’s behaviour was unacceptable but did not amount to a criminal offence. As part of their investigation, Police audited the officer’s use of the Police database. This showed that the officer had conducted several non-work-related checks of the vehicles parked near their house, and the vehicle’s registered owners, while off-duty. The officer had checked the complainant’s information multiple times.
The officer explained their reasons for accessing the information, and also acknowledged that they now understood that they were wrong to do so. The officer was contrite and apologetic for distressing the complainant and for impacting on Police’s reputation and investigative resources.
The officer received an appropriate employment outcome, which included restorative action.
The Authority agreed with the findings and outcome of the investigation.
IPCA: 23-19577