The Authority oversaw an investigation into allegations that an off-duty officer groped and attempted to kiss the complainant at a social function in 2021. The complainant also said the officer behaved in similar manner towards other guests. The complainant reported these allegations to Police in 2023.
Police spoke to a large number of witnesses during the investigation. None recall witnessing the alleged assault on the complainant. However, some witnesses raised their own concerns about the officer’s behaviour at the event or recalled the complainant telling them at the time about the officer’s actions and the distress they felt. Noone else involved wished to make a complaint about their own interactions with the officer. Due to the passage of time, no CCTV was available to aid the investigation.
The officer denied the allegations and resigned during the investigation process for unrelated reasons.
The criminal investigator recommended no charges be laid because, in their view, the available evidence did not meet the required standard for doing so. The Authority considered the investigator’s recommendation was reasonable.
The matter was referred to the Police charging panel who determined there was sufficient evidence to charge the officer with indecent assault, but that the public interest test for prosecution was not met in the circumstances.
The Authority is satisfied Police have appropriately investigated this matter.
IPCA: 23-19045