Qld. cop misuses charity credit card:  Gets off free

QUEENSLAND'S criminal watchdog has lost its bid for a review of the suspended demotion of a police sergeant for misusing a citizens youth club corporate credit card to pay for personal expenses.

The Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal, in just published four-page decision, said Sergeant Gilbert Napper pleaded guilty to a charge of official misconduct for inappropriately using a Queensland Police Citizens Youth Welfare Association's corporate credit car.

QCAT senior member Richard Oliver said QPS Assistant Commissioner Clem O'Regan on March 16 imposed a "sanction" demoting Sergeant Napper to the rank of senior constable.

However, the sanction was suspended subject to Sergeant Napper completing certain training courses.

"Sergeant Napper was charged with official misconduct because he inappropriately used ... (the) Association Corporate credit card," he said.

"The expenses charged to the card where repaid by (Sergeant Napper) but, as he knew or ought to have known at the time, this conduct was not permitted."

Mr Oliver said the Crime and Misconduct Commission lodged an application for a review of Assistant Commissioner O'Regan's decision on April 2 - more than two weeks after the commissioner published his decision.

"The application to review is out of time as it was not made with 14 days of the decision being given," he said.

"As a consequence of being out of time the (CMC) has applied to the Tribunal for time to be extended ... (but that) is opposed by Mr Napper."

Mr Oliver said it appeared the CMC, from the material it had filed, was "simply asking the Tribunal to revisit afresh" matters already placed before Assistant Commissioner O'Regan and "without any real attempt to show that a different outcome is likely."

"The result is that the (CMC's) application for an extension of time is dismissed."

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