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AFP officer breaches code after NITV lodges complaint

AFP officer who spoke to NITV journalist on ANZAC Day has breached the force's code of conduct.

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An Australian Federal Police officer who spoke to an NITV journalist on ANZAC Day in Canberra has been found to have breached the force’s code of conduct.

He is one of three federal police officers who spoke to NITV’s Myles Morgan, who filmed a scuffle between police and protesters claims he was pressured into handing over his camera.

NITV lodged a formal complaint against the Australian Federal Police.

An Media, Entertainment and Art Alliance spokesperson said, “A professional standards investigation was launched and it has subsequently found that one officer had demonstrated discourteous behaviour in a breach of section 8.4 of the AFP Code of Conduct.”

The relevant section requires an AFP officer to act with fairness, reasonableness, courtesy and respect without discrimination or harassment.

Officers confronted Morgan demanding he hand over a copy of his vision as evidence but the footage recorded shows him telling police he has been intimidated.

“You’re shaking almost uncontrollably, are you OK?” one sergeant told Morgan on the day.

“I’ve never seen someone’s face twitch like that, that’s all.”

Another officer questioned the news-value of the events and even his use of Commonwealth property, in the form of his camera.

“Is that a Commonwealth asset being used …for private purpose?” asked one officer. “That’s a bit of misuse of a Commonwealth asset.”

Alliance chief executive officer Paul Murphy told Fairfax, “You would always hope that a journalist in the field would be treated with appropriate respect. The work they are doing … in the public interest should be respected properly by all the authorities.”

One Response

  1. When the cops need public help, like trying to round up two guys who have been driving all over the countryside for something like 8 years, managing to avoid cops on roads looking for them, they come begging the reporters for airtime. When there’s a bit of footage recorded that may show someone doing something they don’t really want aired, and if there’s only the one cameraman around, the superiority complex does spray forth from some cops who seem to take on a different persona once they don the uniform,
    “Is that a Commonwealth asset being used …for private purpose?” asked one officer. “That’s a bit of misuse of a Commonwealth asset.”
    Oh dear…better warn ABC and SBS camerapeople to watch it, cos the Feds are watching you using all of those Commonwealth assets!! (LOL)

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