Western Suburbs police officer charged with one count of abuse of public office

A 29-year-old police officer has been arrested by SA Police’s Anti-Corruption Section detectives over the alleged abuse of public office.

A female police officer has been arrested by South Australia Police’s Anti-Corruption Section detectives over the alleged abuse of public office.

Following a lengthy investigation, detectives arrested the 29-year-old western suburbs woman on Thursday.

She has been charged with one count of abuse of public office and was given police bail to appear in Port Adelaide Magistrates Court in February.

SA Police did not disclose any further details about the investigation that led to the woman’s arrest.

In December 2023, a Virginia woman was charged over conduct that allegedly abused the public office, while she was working with South Australian Police.

South Australian Police headquarters in Adelaide, Wednesday, July 17, 2024. Picture: Matt Loxton

The 44-year-old was charged with three counts of abuse of public office.

Last year, The Advertiser revealed a new report that detailed criminal investigations into the conduct of SA Police officers have been hindered by fellow officers refusing to co-operate with the state’s anti-corruption commission.

Some members of the force are more interested in “protecting their fellow officers than upholding and enforcing the law,” outgoing independent Commissioner Against Corruption Ann Vanstone has revealed in a report tabled in state parliament on Tuesday, August 27.

She recommended the state government give ICAC the power to direct a public officer, who is a potential witness in an investigation, to provide an affidavit to commission investigators, with any refusal subject to penalty.