Police officer who fined Greens councillor Jonathan Sri allegedly criticised him on Facebook

Queensland Police will review a traffic fine issued to outspoken Brisbane Greens councillor Jonathan Sri after it was alleged the officer who pulled him over had earlier attacked him on social media.

Queensland Police will conduct a full internal review into the conduct of an officer who allegedly criticised Jonathan Sri on social media before issuing the Greens councillor a $400 traffic fine.

On January 26, Senior Constable Chris Borg employed emergency lights and sirens to stop Mr Sri after he allegedly failed to stop for an amber light while riding his bicycle home from an Invasion Day protest.

Snr Const Borg said in his incident report that he only identified Mr Sri after pulling him over.

Cr Jonathan Sri was fined for allegedly running an amber light. Picture: Attila Csaszar

In the months leading up to that date, a Facebook account with the same name as Mr Borg’s made several negative comments on Mr Sri’s public page, including labelling him a “dishonest grub” and suggesting he should resign from office.

“You are not the victim of a smear campaign on this issue, you are the dishonest grub,” the account wrote on a post by Mr Sri apologising over a hoax voicemail to State MP Jennifer Howard in November 2019.

In another post the account commented: “The Greens do love a good terrorist organisation.”

After being given a charge sheet for the infringement listing the officer’s full name, Mr Sri recalled that a Facebook user named Chris Borg had regularly made comments on his page.

It is understood the account name was changed to ‘John Smith’ earlier this year.

The Facebook account was deleted after Mr Borg was approached by media for comment.

A comment left on Jonathan Sri's Facebook page under the name of ‘John Smith’, which was previously ‘Chris Borg’.

A QPS spokesman confirmed a full internal review would be conducted following the social media activity, but no formal complaint has been lodged in respect of Snr Const Borg.

“The QPS takes all allegations relating to misconduct or inappropriate behaviour of its members very seriously and will conduct a full review into the matter,” the spokesman said.

“The Traffic Infringement Notice is currently before court where a brief of evidence is being completed, a decision (regarding the senior constables conduct) will be made following assessment of this evidence,” he said.

A hearing date for the alleged traffic infringement by Mr Sri is set down for October 18.

The Greens councillor has vowed to fight the $400 traffic ticket in court, saying it was “not safe” to stop for the amber light.