Senior officer investigated at Port Augusta Police Station as ‘party culture’ revealed

Two investigations into the behaviour of regional police officers – one involving the indecent assault of a colleague – revealed a toxic “party culture” at their station.

The “party culture” of a regional police station has come under fire with the revelation that a senior officer was investigated for sexual harassment the same year an officer indecently assaulted one of his colleagues.

Former Constable Martin Duku, 23, was found guilty last month of four counts of indecent assault against two victims – including a fellow officer at the Port Augusta Police Station in 2019.

The other victim was closely linked with the police station and socialised with several of the officers.

In his written verdict released toThe Advertiser with the consent of defence and prosecution, Magistrate John Wells said there was a “party culture” at the police station.

He heard evidence that an investigation was launched at the station into allegations a male senior officer “had made sexual advances towards some junior female officers”.

The investigation into the officer continued for more than six months and resulted in “massive team changes”, where officers were swapped between shifts.

One of the witnesses in Duku’s trial said she felt the subsequent shift changes had “upset a lot of people”.

“Everyone was throwing everyone under the bus and I got no senior support at all,” she said.

The outcome of that investigation into the senior officer is unknown.

Martin Duku was found guilty of four counts of indecent assault during his time in Port Augusta where he was serving as a police officer. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Wells wrote in his verdict that Port Augusta was a common first stop for officers fresh out of the Academy and on their first posting.

“Most of the witnesses were young probationary constables, who had recently graduated

from the Police Academy,” he said.

“They were all aged in their late teens to early 20s.

“Port Augusta was generally their first posting after graduating and, it seems, most of the

young probationary constables were living independently for the first time.”

Mr Wells said is was clear from the evidence during the trial that there was a “party culture” at the station.

“Unremarkably, there was a significant amount of drinking while socialising,” he said,

“There was evidence that teams would go out drinking in the early morning after finishing a week of night shift, for example.

“Equally unremarkably, numerous witnesses agreed that there was a ‘gossipy’ culture within this group of young police officers.

“One witness said that the culture could be ‘quite vindictive’. The culture of gossip meant that rumours were spread quickly and reputations could be damaged.”

Port Augusta Police Station. Picture: Tom Huntley

Mr Wells convicted Duku of four out of five charges of indecent assault on March 3. The same day his employment was terminated.

“SAPOL does not condone inappropriate behaviour toward others as is evidenced by the action taken in this instance,” a police spokesman said.

“All reports of inappropriate behaviour are investigated thoroughly. .

“SAPOL will not be responding regarding individual employees which may be, or have been, subject of an investigation under the Police Complaints and Discipline Act.”

Duku was initially remanded in custody but was released on home detention bail after his barrister, Kathryn Waite, successfully argued her client would be at risk behind bars because of his former career as a police officer.