Sunday, August 26, 2012
Qld. cops deny 'setting up' honest detective
SENIOR police have denied trying to "set up" an officer on stalking charges as a payback after he blew the whistle on alleged misconduct.
Police launched two internal investigations into former Burleigh Heads detective David Whyte, conducted covert surveillance at his home and charged him with stalking and assaulting his neighbours. A jury took less than 30 minutes to acquit him of the charges in 2010.
Mr Whyte is now suing for compensation for psychological injuries he claims to have suffered as a result of workplace bullying and harassment. He left the police service after reporting allegations including the use of illegal search warrants at Burleigh Heads CIB.
Yesterday, in a hearing at Southport Magistrates Court, he grilled senior police about the stalking investigation.
Current Burleigh Heads CIB boss and former Ethical Standards Command officer Brian Swan, who conducted two internal investigations into Mr Whyte, denied they were triggered because the former officer had "blown the whistle" and launched a WorkCover claim.
Another former ESC officer, Inspector Stephen Dabinett, said he was directed by a superior to investigate a stalking complaint against Mr Whyte while on duty at the 2006 Schoolies Festival.
Insp Dabinett said a covert surveillance operation was launched on Mr Whyte's Kirra unit complex with the help of one of his neighbours, an alleged stalking victim. But Mr Whyte disturbed the operation and confronted Insp Dabinett on the property.
Insp Dabinett admitted he refused to identify himself and told Mr Whyte to "f--- off". But he said this was because Mr Whyte knew he and an ESC colleague were police officers.
Mr Whyte: "You were very rude and aggressive towards me."
Insp Dabinett: "No, I don't think I was."
Mr Whyte suggested the ESC officers were at his home for an "improper purpose ... to try and set me up".
"No," Insp Dabinett replied.
The hearing continues, with more senior police set to give evidence next week.
SOURCE
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3 comments:
So from Inspector Dabinett's remark are we to assume it is OK to say F...Off in public if one assumes the other person knows who you are. David W has just found an ESC person skulking around his private residence, he questions him, and this is what Dabinett thinks is OK? Come on. This is called screwing a colleague. The very worst part of QPS, as bad as raping a female colleague because you consider they have had too much to drink. Time for a Royal Commission enquiry into bullying, misconduct and internal investigation within QPS.
Dabinett and the other officer were not friends of the officer they were endeavouring to screw. No reason to be on the property. How come this type of bullying is accepted by QPS? No other work force will allow an employee to visit or phone another. Imagine the stress this places on David W? He is hounded and tracked like a criminal. Yet Dabinett is probably a Chief Superintendent by now and David W is fighting for compensation for what he lost when Dabinett decided to target him.
Dabinett could say "F--off" and nothing else is done or said. Yet he was part of having misconduct charges against another operational officer chasing 3 break and enter offenders, who said it twice, when in each case 1 of 2 people said they did not hear it. Both said they were not offended as it was more like, "you silly thing" But it was found to be treating members of the publicly badly. The QCAT member had a meal on this, as he waffled around it and confused the facts completely, so much so that one questions the motive behind the finding or the ability of the past high court judge. Never the less, it's now recorded as tho it was correct. Double standards!
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