MFS drops action against deputy chief officer Roy Thompson after 862 days

Minor disciplinary charges against a senior firefighters, who was paid by taxpayers to stay home for more than two years, have been dropped.

The minor disciplinary charges against the Metropolitan Fire Service’s deputy chief officer – that forced him out of work for more than two years at huge cost to taxpayers – have been dropped.

In an astonishing turnabout, the action against respected senior firefighter Roy Thompson were abandoned on the eve of his scheduled disciplinary hearing last Thursday.

Mr Thompson had been on suspension for 862 days.

The extraordinary case has prompted Emergency Services Minister Joe Szakacs to launch a full review of MFS disciplinary regulations “to examine streamlining investigations to preserve fairness and to expedite timelines for anyone involved”.

“This overcomplicated and drawn-out issue was inherited from the former Liberal government and our government is seeking to rectify processes in the future,’’ he said.

“The length of time this decision has taken to make has taken a toll on those impacted and we need to ensure future cases are managed better from the outset, and without political interference.”

The minor disciplinary charges against the Metropolitan Fire Service’s deputy chief officer – that forced him out of work for more than two years – have been dropped.

The extraordinary case prompted Emergency Services Minister Joe Szakacs to launch a full review of MFS disciplinary regulations. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette

Late last month The Advertiser revealed Mr Thompson, who has been paid close to $500,000 since being suspended in March 2021, was to appear before the Metropolitan Fire Services Disciplinary Committee this month to face three minor, non-criminal charges – none of which were likely to result in any significant sanction even if he was found guilty.

The delay – and those involving other firefighters under investigation – was condemned by the United Firefighters Union, which has repeatedly called for reform of the disciplinary system to prevent unnecessary mental stress to members facing such delays.

Mr Thompson, through the UFU, said he was “delighted with the outcome’’ but could not comment further.

United Firefighters Union secretary Max Adlam welcomed the review. Image/Russell Millard

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Roy Thompson at a press conference. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Martin

MFU secretary Max Adlam on Sunday welcomed the review, stating the handling of Mr Thompson’s case “has been an absolute disgrace.’’

“We welcome the review and it should be a high level inquiry, but what also needs to be reviewed is more than a process. This case raises a range of questions,’’ she said.

“Our member has spent a significant period on suspension and during that entire period he never had a phone call to inquire about his wellbeing – does that not raise questions in itself?’’

MFS Commander Roy Thompson inside the new Incident Command Vehicle (ICV) fire truck at its media launch in Adelaide. Picture: File

Besides the money paid to Mr Thompson since he was suspended – $198,000 a year in cash and vehicle allowances – the MFS has also spent hundreds of thousands of dollars backfilling his position and on engaging two private investigators who conducted separate inquiries into the incident after his suspension.

Extra costs were incurred by another agency that also examined it, but subsequently found there was no criminal conduct.

Mr Thompson was suspended after an incident in which he was recorded laughing about not buying new fire appliances because it would undermine a UFU industrial campaign over resources. The internal charges did not stem from that conversation, but relate to allegations of a minor budget overspend and the delayed return of MFS-owned equipment after his suspension.

MFS Chief Officer Michael Morgan. (AAP Image/Dean Martin)

A spokesperson for MFS chief officer Michael Morgan, whose one-year contract extension runs out at the end of the year, said he supported the planned review.

“The MFS Chief Officer recognises the current challenges with the MFS disciplinary management system and will support state government and key stakeholders on a full review,’’ the spokesperson said.

“The MFS will ensure the staff member is fully supported in their return to work.’’