Council ranger charged with impersonating police officer
A young council ranger has denied in court that he impersonated a police officer during a pub fight in Cockle Bay this month. His employer revealed it had no knowledge of his charge.
Central Sydney
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A Woollahra Council ranger allegedly tried to intervene in a pub fight at Darling Harbour by flashing a badge and telling people “I’m a cop”.
Jarryd Gavin, 24, entered a plea of not guilty at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday to one charge of impersonating a police officer during the incident at Cockle Bay earlier this month.
Police will allege in court that the Ettalong Beach resident was at a licensed premises on the harbour about 1.40am on September 1 when an altercation broke out.
When police arrived they were told a man had tried to intervene by pretending he was a police officer.
Court documents allege that man was Mr Gavin, who allegedly produced a silver badge with a NSW insignia on it and a light blue plastic backing, court documents allege.
“I’m a cop,” the documents allege Mr Gavin said.
A Woollahra Council spokeswoman confirmed Mr Gavin was still employed by the council, but she said it was “unaware” until today that he had been charged with a criminal offence.
“We were not aware of the charge, the details of the charge or court proceedings,” she said.
“We can confirm Jarryd Gavin is employed by Woollahra Council and we will await the court determination before deciding if further action is required.”
Mr Gavin was granted bail following his arrest on September 1.
It was extended in court today where he appeared in person supported by his mother. The startled ranger stopped briefly outside court on Wednesday after being confronted with a TV camera and attempted to answer a journalist’s question, before fleeing the scene with a piece of paper shielding his face.
According to his social media page, he started working for the council in 2018.
Mr Gavin’s matter will return to court on November 6.
