David Brogden: Police boss guilty of weapons, fraud offences

Cops launched a probe into one of their own when it was suspected he was rorting a force credit card. However, the focus of the investigation soon shifted when officers searched his home.

The 30-year career of a high-ranking police officer crumbled to ruins when a fraud probe led to the discovery of an arsenal of weapons at his home.

Chief inspector David Andrew Brogden, who was the boss of the Wireless Technology Command, was busted with seven loaded pistols in a plastic container at his Old Toongabbie home.

Brogden leaves court on Thursday Picture: Joel Carrett

The 50-year-old father-of-five pleaded guilty on Thursday to a string of weapons and fraud offences following an internal police investigation sparked by loose paperwork left on an administrative assistant’s desk last February.

A senior police officer under Brogden’s command saw an order form in his name requesting about $415 worth of batteries complete with his electronic signature. A further ruffling through the papers found an extra four order forms for $2400 worth of electronic goods in the name of the same police officer, all authorised by his boss, Brogden.

The senior police officer, who said he never used an electronic signature, was away on two of the days the orders were submitted, court documents state

An internal investigation was launched into Brogden, with a review of his work emails revealing 33 “orders” sent from his personal email, the agreed police facts state.

The emails would typically include web links to items with a note stating what family member it was for.

David Andrew Brogden leaves the Downing Centre Court in Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Joel Carrett

Court documents reveal one exchange between Brogden and his wife where he confirmed he had ordered accessories for her Macbook and would bring it home when it arrived. The items were paid for by a NSW Police corporate card and signed off by Brogden, court documents state.

When a higher ranking officer questioned Brogden about his purchases, the agreed facts reveal he tried to pull in one of his lower ranking officers into the rort by sending him an email stating “if asked please confirm that you requested these items. I’ll explain later.”

A couple of months later police executed a search warrant of his family home to uncover seven loaded Glock pistols, ammo, ballistic vests and even the ID badge of a retired officer, court documents state.

A search of his police officer’s home uncovered a ballistic vest, handcuffs which had been reported missing in 2016, extendible baton and capsicum spray. The agreed facts state none of the items had been issued to him.

Brogden pleaded guilty to five counts of possess prohibited weapons without permit, dishonestly obtain property and goods in custody.

He will be sentenced later this year.