NEWS > 26 December 2005

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NEWS.com.au - Australia
26 December 2005

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Police officers escape drinkin

POLICE officers and public servants who held a boozy barbecue on North Stradbroke Island off Queensland during the spring holidays have escaped punishment.

But teenagers holidaying on the island at the same time were slapped with more than $10,000 in fines for drinking in public - the same offence committed by the same police officers who issued the tickets.
An internal investigation found that police and workers from the Department of Communities held an alcohol-fuelled lunch at The Keyholes, a popular picnic area and swimming hole.

The lunch was hosted by the police inspector in charge of Operation Track, which targeted unruly behaviour among teens attending "pre-schoolies" camping trips.

When The Courier-Mail reported on the incident in September, the inspector was relieved of his command and government workers removed from the island.

At the time, Police Minister Judy Spence pledged that any officer who had broken the law would be "dealt with through the disciplinary process".

But months later, the Police Ethical Standards Command recommended no action be taken against the officers for drinking in public.
A police spokesman said officers had a "reasonable belief" that the picnic area was covered by a mining lease, and was not technically a public place.

However, investigations by The Courier-Mail revealed The Keyholes was not a mining area but a public space controlled by the Redlands Shire Council.

Any member of the public drinking in the area could be prosecuted.

Staff from the Department of Communities also escaped punishment for taking part in the barbecue while they were supposed to be promoting drinking prevention strategies.

A spokesman for Communities Minister Warren Pitt refused to give detailed reasons for the decision.

The Ethical Standards Command recommendations were reviewed by the Crime and Misconduct Commission, which agreed with the findings.

At the same time, teens camping on the island were handed a total of 47 on-the-spot fines of $225 each for drinking in public.

Thirteen young people were charged with a total of 21 offences, including liquor offences.

Youth Affairs Network of Queensland director Siyavash Doostkhah said the decision not to punish officers sent a poor message to young people.

"It erodes the confidence of the community and sets a wrong example for young people," Mr Doostkhah said.

"One of the most important roles police carry out is being role models."

He said allowing police to escape on a technicality also set a poor example of responsibility.

"A range of issues have recently been raised in the media about police behaviour and this doesn't send a good message."

Two weeks ago a Bowen police officer was placed on leave with full pay after crashing a police vehicle while driving home drunk.

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Article sourced from

NEWS.com.au - Australia26 December 2005

Police officers escape drinkin

EiP Comments:

NEWS.com.au - Australia
26 December 2005