Griffith top country cop at the centre of internal police investigation
A REGIONAL police commander is under investigation over allegations two female staff were given preferential treatment for a promotion and state-funded housing.
NSW
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A POLICE commander is under investigation following allegations two female staff were given preferential treatment — one for moving into state-funded housing and the other for a promotion.
The Professional Standards Command probe is examining issues within the Griffith Local Area Command in southwest NSW after a number of complaints surfaced.
Caught up in the investigation is Griffith’s police commander Detective Superintendent Michael Rowan, a veteran officer who oversaw the investigation into schoolteacher Stephanie Scott’s murder and recent efforts to find the remains of assassinated anti-drugs campaigner Donald Mackay.
The issues have been the talk of the rural police community for some time with NSW Police confirming this week the complaints would now be at the centre of an internal investigation.
The Sunday Telegraph understands one complaint relates to a long-term, civilian employee’s tenure in a police housing property.
Traditionally, police housing is reserved for sworn officers.
The properties are owned by the state government and rent is heavily reduced to offer frontline officers an incentive to take up postings in the bush.
It is understood Griffith local area manager Brenda Stedman moved into a police property on Sanders St about three years ago. She is understood to still be living there.
Questions were raised about the move not only because Ms Stedman was a civilian employee, but because her role involves looking after the local area command’s budget.
Maintenance and upgrades to police property is handled by a private company, Brookfield Johnson Controls, which manages more than 600 residential sites in the force’s NSW real estate portfolio.
Part of the complaint addresses renovations carried out at the house before Ms Stedman, who has worked at Griffith for more than 20 years, moved in. There is no suggestion Ms Stedman did anything wrong.
Property records show that a woman called Brenda Stedman bought a property in the nearby suburb of Yenda for $350,000 in February, 2017.
A separate complaint relates to the promotion of a female senior constable within the command. The complaint was made after a review by a senior officer.
It is understood the issue was raised about the score the officer received in a promotional assessment.
A NSW Police Force spokesman would only confirm the Professional Standards Command was “currently examining a complaint matter”.
“While that process remains under way it is inappropriate to make any further specific comment,” he said.
“The NSW Police Force has a rigorous framework in place to ensure that all complaint matters are thoroughly investigated.”
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