Officer off sick as investigation into disappearing cash is launched

A senior officer is off on sick leave, as an internal investigation is launched into the “disappearance’’ of more than $200,000 cash from a western Sydney police station.

An internal investigation into the missing funds at a western Sydney police station is under way.

An internal investigation has been launched into the “disappearance’’ of more than $200,000 cash from the safe at a western Sydney police station.

A senior officer in charge of looking after the police exhibits or evidence is now believed to be on stress leave.

Cash seized during raids, which is believed to be illegally obtained from robberies or proceeds of crime, particularly drug dealing, is recorded and then stored in a safe, which is detailed by a designated exhibits officer.

NSW Police has refused to give any details of the alleged theft and released a two sentence statement after being contacted by The Daily Telegraph.

“The matter is subject to an internal investigation by the Professional Standards Command, which commenced last month,” the statement said.

“As the investigation remains ongoing, we are unable to provide further details.”

Access to safes in local police stations is restricted to senior staff and its contents overseen by an exhibits officer.

A source close to the investigation said word started to leak out a few weeks ago that an internal investigation was under way and it was now common knowledge at the station.

It’s understood the money has been siphoned off over the past six years but NSW Police refused to confirm how much money or over what time period the alleged theft had occurred.

The Professional Standards Unit began an investigation about a month ago into the missing money after being informed of irregularities in the recording of cash exhibits.

The exhibits officer from the station is currently on sick leave as forensic accountants are now combing the books going back for years.

“These investigations put a cloud over all the staff at the station and the quicker the investigation is resolved the better for everyone,” a senior police source said.

“There are protocols in place to try and make sure the integrity of exhibits such as cash and drugs are protected,” a former officer said.

No charges have been laid.