Troy Graeme Bennett: Queensland Police officer pleads guilty after providing false online declaration
A Queensland policeman has fronted court after he found himself on the wrong side of the law charged with providing a false online declaration.
North Lakes Times
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A Queensland Police officer who provided a false online declaration had “no excuse” for doing so, a court has heard.
Senior Constable Troy Graeme Bennett pleaded guilty in the Caboolture Magistrates Court to one count of false or misleading online declaration.
The 45-year-old from North Lakes was stood down from duty with the Queensland Police Service after he was charged.
The service issued a brief statement on September 23 this year confirming the officer would face a magistrate.
“In keeping with our commitment to high standards of behaviour, transparency and accountability, we have undertaken to inform the public when an officer faces serious allegations of misconduct,” the statement said.
The court heard the offence was committed at North Lakes on July 14 this year.
The officer only spoke to confirm his plea of guilty.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Peter Mitchelson told the court the charge related to a camera ticket.
“This amounts to a case of a camera ticket was issued and the declaration was signed over to another person,” he said.
“I can’t take it any further than that, that’s what it is.”
The court heard he had no criminal history.
Bennett’s lawyer told the court his client had “no excuse”, while submitting a fine for the offence was within range.
“He had some personal circumstances going on at the time,” his lawyer told the court.
“The breakdown of his marriage and he was addressing some personal traumas at this time, that’s contributed to his level of judgment.”
Magistrate Jim Blanch told Bennett it was a serious charge.
“These things are serious, making a false declaration,” he said.
“You’ve got no previous history, I’ll take it as an aberration on your behalf.”
He was fined $900.
No conviction was recorded.
When approached by the Caboolture Herald outside of the court, the father of three said he didn’t want to comment.
It’s understood Bennett has been stationed previously in Bundaberg and Stafford.
A Queensland Police Service spokesperson said in a statement the QPS upholds community expectation of its members to maintain high standards of behaviour and accountability.
“The Ethical Standards Command will oversee a further discipline investigation in relation to the officer’s conduct.
“As the matter is ongoing the QPS is unable to further comment at this time.”