Police Domestic Violence Cases
TOXICPOLICE.COM - EXPOSING AUSTRALIAN POLICE MISCONDUCT
There are numerous cases of serving Australian police officers known to be, and often found guilty of perpetrating domestic violence - Abusers in the Ranks. In many cases, these officers go unpunished, or have relatively minor disciplinary punishments imposed by their forces. This has put their family victims at risk and reinforces the feeling that Australian police are a law unto themselves, treated differently from mere citizens and are free to do whatever they choose. In other cases, serving police officers have deliberately or accidentally leaked confidential personal information about victims to their attackers. In yet other cases, victims have complained abut being treated by police as domestic violence perpetrators rather than victims. Examples are also listed where police failed to act on information indicating serious risk of domestic violence, one of which involved the shooting deaths of two children.
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How and why do many Australian police ministers and commissioners appear to perpetuate the impunity their officers enjoy while the public mood, more than ever, is focused on stamping out domestic violence in society?
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And why do they continue to recruit individuals with a tendency towards domestic violence? If these officers can't be trusted to respect their own families, how can they be trusted to respect the public in general? Clearly they can't and many misconduct cases suggest it's more important for the police to "have each other's backs" and protect their individual and whole forces' reputations than it is to protect the innocent women, children and others who suffer at the hands of these perpetrators.
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Following are links to numerous published articles covering a range of twenty-first century domestic violence cases and discussions, including those where serving Australian police officers were the perpetrators. In an extraordinary number of cases the officers remain within their forces with unclear disciplinary actions applied.
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** A KEY RESOURCE COVERING POLICE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES - OFFICER INVOLVED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WEBSITE **
A focused, in-depth analysis of multiple aspects of domestic violence / intimate partner violence perpetrated by police officers.
https://oidv-australia.com.au/
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POLICE OFFICERS SUBJECT TO RESTRAINING ORDERS DESK-BOUND UNDER GUN REFORMS, UNION SAYS - 2025 WA
The WA Police Union says officers have been removed from operational duties because new gun laws mean they can't carry a firearm if they're subject to a restraining order. Union president Dave Flaherty said there was little risk of police-issued firearms being used "contrary to orders".
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OFFICER CHARGED OVER ALLEGED DV OFFENCES - WESTERN REGION - 2025 NSW
A police officer has been charged following an investigation into alleged domestic violence offences. In March 2025, officers attached to Western Region Command commenced an investigation into reports of alleged offences involving an off-duty police officer between March 2024 and September 2024. Police were told the man allegedly verbally intimidated a woman at a home in April 2024. Further investigation identified that sometime between August and September 2024, he allegedly assaulted two children at the same home. Following inquiries, the 44-year-old man attached to a specialist command was served a Court Attendance Notice today (Tuesday 16 September 2025) for two counts of common assault (DV) and stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (domestic).
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MULTIPLE CASES OF OFFICERS COMMITTING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - 2025 NSW
A former NSW magistrate and an anti-domestic violence advocacy organisation are calling for an overhaul of the state's police bail system. They argue the initial decision about granting bail for police officers who are charged should be made independently from police.
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POLICE OFFICER FACING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CHARGES - 2025 SA
Charged with aggravated assault (no weapon) against child or spouse, threaten to kill or endanger life - aggravated, aggravated assault with weapon against own child or spouse.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nn5nEBbbfdM
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Police security officer pleads not guilty to three domestic violence-related charges
A police security officer has pleaded not guilty to three domestic violence-related charges, including an offence which allegedly involved the use of a firearm. Tim Waverley Morrison entered the not guilty pleas to aggravated charges of assault, assault with a weapon and threatening to kill or endanger life in the Adelaide Magistrates Court today.
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DISGRACED FORMER SA COP JAILED FOR YEARS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE - 2025 SA
A former South Australian police detective who repeatedly abused his ex-wife has been sentenced to prison.
Matthew Thomson, 42, pleaded guilty to one count of assault, four counts of aggravated assault, and one count of aggravated assault causing harm, relating to incidents between April 2013 and February 2018.
https://7news.com.au/news/sa/disgraced-former-sa-cop-jailed-for-years-of-domestic-abuse-c-19052041
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SA POLICE OFFICER FRONTS COURT ACCUSED OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - 2025 SA
A senior South Australian police officer has been charged with multiple domestic violence offenses dating back to 2005 and 2008, alongside recent allegations of abusing public office and possessing a dangerous weapon. Despite the serious nature of these charges, the officer remains suspended **with pay**—raising urgent questions about integrity, accountability, and the culture within SA Police.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUXjCWm72MY
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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, CHARGED - 2025 NSW
Multiple domestic violence charges against a senior constable attached to the South West Metropolitan Region
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CHALLENGES FACED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS WHERE THE ABUSER IS A POLICE OFFICER - 2025 NATIONAL
Research examines the challenges faced by victim-survivors.
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WOMAN ABUSED BY FORMER NSW POLICE OFFICER JONATHAN CHARLES BETTLES TALKS OF 'EMOTIONAL TURMOIL' - 2025 NSW
A woman assaulted by a NSW Police officer told a Sydney court the "betrayal cuts deeper" because of the uniform he once wore. Jonathan Charles Bettles pleaded guilty over the domestic violence offences.
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ALARMING NUMBER OF COPS ACCUSED OF RAPE, VIOLENCE AND HARASSMENT - 2025 VIC
Victoria Police is grappling with a scourge of violence among its ranks, with a bombshell report revealing hundreds of members are being probed over alleged rapes, family violence and sexual harassment
https://x.com/theheraldsun/status/1878925010573955325
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Victoria Police have investigated 683 of its own employees in the past five years over alleged sexual and family violence offences.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH5IjQEMvSQ
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NSW POLICE OFFICER CHARGED WITH ALLEGEDLY ASSAULTING TWO WOMEN IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ATTACK - 2025 NSW
The senior constable, 53, was arrested at a home more than four months ago before being released. The senior constable, 53, who is attached to a specialist command, allegedly assaulted two women, aged 53 and 36, during an altercation at a Caringbah home, in Sydney’s south, on Sunday, February 9 while he was off-duty.
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POLICE CAUSE MORE HARM THAN HELP IN MANY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES - 2025 NATIONAL
Rather than helping victims, new research has found that in too many cases police responses to family violence are harming them, replicating the power and control dynamics that underpin abuse and increasing risk, trauma and feelings of powerlessness.
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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COMMENTS TO BETTINA ARNDT PUTS UTAS LECTURER IN SPOTLIGHT - 2025 TAS
In an interview with Bettina Arndt, a university lecturer has expressed views on domestic violence that Tasmania police say are "not in line with the principles Tasmania Police supports in dealing with family violence". Tasmania Police says Dr Girkin "will not be involved in police training courses until a further assessment of the matter has been completed by UTAS with input from Tasmania Police".
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VICTORIA POLICE PROMISED NO MORE 'SPECIAL TREATMENT' FOR ABUSIVE COPS. THREE YEARS ON, VICTIMS FEEL BETRAYED - 2025 VIC
New data shows 28 Victoria Police officers were charged with serious family violence offences in the four years to 2024, though many had their matter withdrawn and just four were convicted Victim advocates say the data shows the force has an "ongoing problem" with abusers in police ranks and a "persistent culture of impunity". Victoria's police oversight system must urgently be overhauled to ensure all complaints against police are independently investigated, experts say.
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SENIOR QUEENSLAND POLICE OFFICER CHARGED WITH BREACHING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ORDER. SERIOUS ASSAULT - 2025 QLD
A Queensland Police officer is facing court over allegations of serious misconduct. The senior constable, 54, was charged with serious assault, breaching a domestic violence order, and being a public nuisance. He has been suspended from the Queensland Police Service.
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MUM OPENS UP ABOUT HOW HUSBAND'S LOVE BOMBING LED TO A LIVING NIGHTMARE - 2025 VIC
Bianca* is a single mum of four. She works long hours as a midwife, to keep the roof over her family's head.
But her life now is better than living with her ex-partner (Vic Police Senior Sergeant).
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NT POLICE OFFICER BACK ON ACTIVE DUTY AFTER CHARGE RELATED TO PARTNER'S DEATH DROPPED - 2024 NT
A Northern Territory police officer who faced criminal charges after an inquest found his partner died amid a “history of family violence” has returned to work after the case against him was dropped. A coroner found the officer’s partner, who was herself a former police officer in her late 30s, died in 2020 after 17 complaints were made to NT police about violence and “domestic disturbances” in the five years before her death.
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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, CHARGED - 2024 NSW
Multiple domestic violence charges. The senior constable was charged with five counts of common assault DV, three counts of stalk or intimidate intend fear physical harm DV and two counts of use carriage service to menace or harass or offend and assault occasioning actual bodily harm DV.
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NSW Police constable Jordan Weston faces court charged with multiple domestic violence offences.
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Police officer Jordan Weston’s messages to partner revealed in court documents ... “I hope you get raped” and “get killed on the way to work” in a series of texts sent before and during a shift at a Sydney station, court documents reveal.
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AUSTRALIAN POLICE FORCES HAVE A FESTERING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROBLEM. WILL A DOUBLE HOMICIDE FORCE NSW POLICE TO FINALLY FACE THE TRUTH? - 2024 NSW
Charged officers get to keep their jobs. Police have long resisted reforms.
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MISUSE OF POLICE DATABASES IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND OTHER CASES - 2024 NATIONAL
Multiple cases of police officers misusing police databases, with particular concern about situations where police officers are the DV pepetrators
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POLICE TREATING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS AS PERPETRATORS - 2024 NSW
A Sydney woman has won a lengthy court battle to clear her name after being charged with assaulting her husband, who she claims was abusing her.
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FAILURE TO PROPERLY INVESTIGATE AND ACTION DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - 2024 WA, QLD, VIC
When police fail to follow operating procedures, the consequences can be deadly. An in-depth article.
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DISTURBING AUDIO OF POLICE OFFICER MOCKING WOMAN WHO REPORTED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ISSUE - 2024 QLD
Domestic violence survivor shares a disturbing experience with Gold Coast police, who made inappropriate jokes after she called for help
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkMgC9WBo6M
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NSW POLICE OFFICER CHARGED WITH MULTIPLE ALLEGED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFENCES FOLLOWING 2023 INVESTIGATION - 2024 NSW
A NSW senior constable has been charged for alleged domestic violence. The investigation into the officer began in 2023, and has now resulted in multiple charges.
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VICTIMS ARE TOO SCARED TO REPORT THEIR POLICE PARTNERS FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - 2024 NSW
Since 2017 in NSW, 120 officers have been charged with domestic violence offences. But advocates believe many victims are too scared to report
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TWO CHILDREN GUNNED DOWN BY THEIR FATHER. A WOMAN SERIOUSLY ASSAULTED AFTER OFFICERS IGNORED HER REQUEST FOR PROTECTION - 2024 WA
Two children gunned down by their father. A woman seriously assaulted after officers ignored her request for a protection order. An attack that left a victim with a partially punctured lung recorded as “domestic violence - no offence”.
When police fail to follow operating procedures, the consequences can be deadly.
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'IT WAS AWFUL': ANNIE'S WORST FEARS CAME TRUE AFTER SHE ACCUSED HER POLICE OFFICER PARTNER OF DV - 2024 NSW
Since 2017 in NSW, 120 officers have been charged with domestic violence offences. But advocates believe many victims are too scared to report.
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STATISTICS OF NSW POLICE OFFICERS CHARGED WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - 2024 NSW
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BREACHING A FAMILY VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDER, STOOD DOWN - 2023 WA
A police sergeant in the Perth metro area charged with one count of Breach the of Family Violence Restraining Order.
SEXUALLY PREDATORY BEHAVIOURS BY POLICE OFFICERS AGAINST WOMEN EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - 2023 VIC
A review by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) concluded earlier this year that "predatory behaviour continues"
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SON OF FORMER DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER CHARGED WITH THREE COUNTS OF COMMON ASSAULT AND ONE OF COMMON ASSAULT (DOMESTIC VIOLENCE) - CHARGES SUBSEQUENTLY DROPPED - 2023 NSW
Nicholas McCormack, son of former deputy prime minister Michael McCormack, charged with multiple counts of assault. 2025 court case dismissed four charges, including domestic violence charge, officer pleaded guilty to common assault, but no conviction recorded.
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INCORRECT DISCIPLINARY PROCESSES AGAINST POLICE OFFICERS COULD RESULT IN PREVIOUS DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS BEING REVOKED FOR RANGE OF TOXIC BEHAVIOURS INCLUDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - 2023 QLD
The state’s police commissioner said a “significant” number of internal disciplinary matters – including those involving domestic violence, drugs and the misuse of personal information – are affected by a court ruling that found the force’s current practice for instigating disciplinary proceedings was “not valid”.
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ELEVEN NSW POLICE OFFICERS THE SUBJECT OF MULTIPLE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INVESTIGATIONS - 2023 NSW
A four-year review into the force’s response to domestic and family violence matters looked at more than 200 complaint investigations, culminating in the latest NSW Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) report.
QUEENSLAND POLICE GRAPPLING WITH 'CONCERNING INCREASE' IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BY OFFICERS BUT MOST VICTIMS AREN'T REPORTING, ADVOCATES SAY - 2022 QLD
They've often been threatened with guns, stalked with high-tech tracking equipment and warned that no one will believe them if they call for help — so many don't. Victims of domestic violence by police officers have long faced unique challenges reporting and escaping abuse.
https://www.qpsdfvinquiry.qld.gov.au/public-hearings/assets/exhibits/week-4/abc-news-article.pdf
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POLICE LEADERSHIP IS FACING UP TO UNCOMFORTABLE TRUTHS AFTER A SERIES OF DAMNING INQUIRY FINDINGS - 2022 QLD
The police officer in charge of the state's domestic violence investigations has vowed to win back the community's trust, saying the embattled Queensland Police Service (QPS) has entered a "new era".
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POLICE ACCIDENTALLY PROVIDE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIM DATA TO PERPETRATOR - 2021 NSW
New South Wales Police handed a domestic violence victim's entire phone data to her perpetrator, a man who is also a senior member of an outlaw motorcycle gang.
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QUEENSLAND POLICE OFFICER LEAKED THE ADDRESS OF A DOMESTIC ABUSE VICTIM TO HER FORMER PARTNER - 2021 QLD
Victim calls for overhaul of ‘weak’ internal discipline system that allowed perpetrator to be paid since being charged and stood down in 2018.
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VICTIM SHAMING IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES - 2021 QLD
Coroner cites a degree of victim shaming when police responded to domestic violence reports.
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UNDERMINING CONCERNS ABOUT PERPETRATOR'S BEHAVIOURS - 2021 NSW
A witness from the inquest into the deaths of two teenagers who were murdered by their father has told of how police undermined concerns about the father's behaviour.
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MORE NSW POLICE OFFICERS CHARGED WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AS VICTIMS FACE ONGOING PROBLEMS GETTING HELP - 2021 NSW
NSW Police must urgently overhaul the way it deals with perpetrators of domestic violence in its ranks, experts say, with frontline workers claiming the standard practice of police investigating their close colleagues too often means alleged abusers are not being held accountable, putting victims' safety on the line.
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CATHERINE'S EX WAS ONE OF FEW POLICE OFFICERS CHARGED WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, BT SHE'LL NEVER GET JUSTICE - 2021 NSW
When Catherine finally broke down one June morning in 2019 and called police about her cop husband's domestic violence, she was convinced she'd set in motion a murder suicide — that he'd retaliate by killing one of her children, then himself. Moments before she dialled the number for Maitland Police Station, where David Mainsbridge worked as a senior constable, he leaned over her menacingly as they walked along the Hunter River. "I am going to come around to your house with my gun," he whispered, pointing at his chest. "I am going to shoot myself in front of you."
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82 COPS CHARGED WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN FIVE YEARS, JUST ONE FOUND GUILTY - 2020 VIC
Dozens of Victoria Police officers were charged with family violence offences in the five years to 2019 but only one was found guilty and none had a conviction recorded. An in-depth article.
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ABUSERS IN THE RANKS. POLICE ARE TOO OFTEN FAILING TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST COPS WHO COMMIT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - 2020 VIC
Another in-depth article exploring the culture of police impunity across the country.​
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QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT PLANNING OVERHAUL OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SYSTEM - 2020 QLD
The Queensland government is planning an overhaul of its system dealing with domestic violence after a police officer was stood down for allegedly failing to investigate a reported case.
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EXPOSING THE TOXIC CULTURE OF POLICE OFFICERS COMMITTING FAMILY VIOLENCE - 2020 QLD
As protectors of the community, police are expected to be tough. But what happens when they take their aggression home and are violent with the people they’re supposed to love?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Clth5kpkiJc
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IS DOMESTIC ABUSE POLICING FIT FOR PURPOSE? - 2020 NATIONAL
In the six years I’ve been writing about domestic abuse, I’ve lost count of the horror stories victim-survivors have told me about police. I’ve also sat with many who say a cop saved their life. Maybe that’s why I can’t get this quote out of my head. It’s from an anonymous senior sergeant in rural Victoria, who was surveyed for an academic study on policing attitudes: ‘Family violence is … a love or hate thing,’ they said, ‘[police officers] are either fine to do it or they hate it. Because it’s a grey area and it’s not that fun like it is to go and catch a crook … It’s not as black and white.’
https://meanjin.com.au/essays/a-thin-blue-line/
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OFFICER SENTENCED OVER RELEASING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COMPLAINTS DETAILS TO FORMER PARTNER - 2019 QLD
Queensland police officer Senior Constable Neil Punchard has been sentenced to two months' jail, wholly suspended for 18 months, for leaking the personal details of a domestic violence complainant to her former partner.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-14/queensland-police-officer-neil-punchard-sentenced/11598696
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Police Officer Who Endangered Domestic Violence Victim Wins Appeal
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AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL POLICE OFFICER CHARGED WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENT ASSAULT, STOOD DOWN FROM DUTY - 2018 AFP
An Australian Federal Police officer has been suspended from duty after being charged with assault in a family violence incident. The 42-year-old off-duty officer fronted ACT Magistrates Court on Saturday morning after an altercation with his partner at their home overnight. The court was told the man had consumed between 15 to 20 standard drinks leading up to the incident and had a problem with alcohol.
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POLICING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: A REVIEW OF THE EVIDENCE - 2017 NATIONAL
Australian Institute of Criminology report finds opportunities to improve police responses to domestic violence cases.
https://www.aic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-05/rr_policing_domestic_violence_211118.pdf
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POLICE CONDUCT IN MANY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES INADEQUATE - 2017 NATIONAL
Research finds little doubt that the police conduct in many police negligence cases has been grossly inadequate. Sydney Law Review.
https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/SydLawRw/2017/22.html
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NSW OFFICER CHARGED WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - 2017 NSW
A NSW police officer has been charged over an alleged domestic violence incident on Mother's Day.Police arrested the 36-year-old at a Seven Hills home in Sydney's northwest on Sunday night and he was charged with stalking or intimidating and common assault.
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NSW POLICE OFFICER FACES GOULBURN COURT OVER ALLEGED DOMESTIC ASSAULT - 2016 NSW
A NSW police officer has appeared in Goulburn Magistrates Court over an alleged domestic assault. Senior Constable Christopher Luke Evans, 29, was charged with assault, intimidation, and using a carriage service to harass someone. The officer, who was attached to a southern region local area command, was arrested on Monday after the alleged incident.
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SA POLICE OFFICER WHOSE ALLEGED DOMESTIC DISPUTE SPARKED SIEGE SEES CHARGE DOWNGRADED - 2016 SA
Prosecutors have downgraded a charge against a senior South Australian police officer who is being prosecuted over an alleged domestic dispute that sparked a four-and-a-half hour siege. Ashley Francis Gordon, who holds the rank of chief inspector, was arrested in August after an alleged dispute at his estranged wife's home at Blackwood that triggered a stand-off with police.
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POLICE OFFICER INVESTIGATED AFTER ALLEGEDLY HELPING MATE FIND EX-WIFE DESPITE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ORDER - 2016 QLD
A Queensland police officer who allegedly helped a mate who was subjected to a domestic violence order (DVO) track down his former partner should be sacked if found guilty, a domestic violence advocate says. It is alleged the senior constable accessed private records of the woman's latest address and passed the details onto her ex-husband. It is further alleged that the officer then joked about it in a series of text messages to the man.
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TWO QUEENSLAND POLICE OFFICERS SUSPENDED ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, STEALING ALLEGATIONS - 2015 QLD
A senior sergeant in Queensland has been suspended for allegedly breaching a domestic violence protection order, while another police officer has been stood down over stealing allegations. A police spokesperson said the 47-year-old senior sergeant from the south-east region was suspended from official duty today. Meanwhile, a 37-year-old female senior constable has also been stood down from official duty after she allegedly stole groceries.
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POLICE OFFICER FACES DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CHARGES - 2013 TAS
A Tasmanian police officer is facing assault charges over two domestic violence incidents in the state's south earlier this year. The constable has been charged with four counts of assault relating to two alleged domestic violence incidents in May and June. The alleged victim was a woman who was in a relationship with the officer.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-12/police-officer-faces-domestic-violence-charges/5151826
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POLICE OFFICER ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CHARGE - 2012 NSW
A Hunter Valley police officer is due to face Maitland Court in March, after being charged over a domestic violence incident. Police say the 41-year-old assaulted his wife at a home at Rutherford last week. She suffered minor facial injuries. The officer who is currently on annual leave has been charged with common assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-10/police-officer-on-domestic-violence-charge/3765134
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AUDIT OF NSW POLICE FORCE HANDLING OF DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE COMPLAINTS - 2011 NSW
Our audit found that domestic violence-related complaints received in 2008 were generally well-handled by the NSWPF. In most cases, police correctly assessed the issues raised by complaints, notified them to the Ombudsman when required, and, when warranted, took appropriate action to address the issues raised. However, we did identify some instances where complaints were not well-handled by police.
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NSW POLICE OFFICER CHARGED OVER DOMESTIC DISPUTE - 2008 NSW
A New South Wales police officer has been charged over a domestic dispute in Sydney's south.
Police say the 36-year-old was arrested after allegedly threatening a friend of his ex-partner in an Engadine park two weeks ago.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2008-12-02/nsw-police-officer-charged-over-domestic-dispute/227060
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