Mark Staib charged with misusing a restricted computer

Before he was charged with accessing confidential information, a first-year police officer was a celebrated addition to the Hervey Bay police service, it can be revealed.

Suspended first-year constable Mark Staib appeared in the Maryborough Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

A police officer charged with misusing a restricted computer and accessing confidential information systems had his matter adjourned to February when the case mentioned again in Maryborough Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Suspended first-year constable Mark Staib allegedly committing the offences while on duty at the Hervey Bay Police Station.

Mr Staib’s appointment to the Hervey Bay station was celebrated in 2023 after he graduated from the Oxley Police Academy.

According to a statement from the police at the time, he had previously been employed as a police liaison officer.

“It was always my dream to be a police officer as I’ve always wanted to be the person that people call when they need help,” he said.

Suspended first-year constable Mark Staib appeared in the Maryborough Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

“In my previous role as a police liaison officer, I saw what a great job the officers were doing for the community which inspired me more to put in my application,” Mr Staib said according to the press release.

The release said Mr Staib had juggled family and academy life by living on campus at the Oxley Police Academy and travelling home to Hervey Bay on the weekends to be with his partner and their children.

He was represented on Tuesday by duty lawyer Morgan Harris.

Mr Harris said an attempt to appeal the decision to refuse legal aid had been rejected.

He said he had been instructed matters would proceed “a certain way” but had been asked to carry out case conferencing with the prosecution.

Mr Harris said he was seeking a month-long adjournment.

The matter was adjourned until February 18, 2025.

No pleas have been entered.

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