Ross Hancock appeals dismissal at Police Registration and Services board

A former detective of 37 years has appealed his dismissal from the force after he was sacked in relation to a drink driving incident where he blew two times over the limit.

Ross Hancock appeared before the Police Registration and Services Board on Tuesday. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele

A veteran detective who was sacked after being busted drink driving is fighting to get his job back, citing he was “unfairly” dismissed by Victoria Police.

Ross Hancock, a leading detective senior constable, faced the Victoria Police Registration and Services Board on Tuesday, appealing his dismissal after being charged with conduct likely to bring the force into disrepute.

It comes after a drink driving incident in June 2023 where Mr Hancock blew .107 — more than twice the legal limit.

The board heard he pleaded guilty to a drink driving charge at Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court in April last year and was officially dismissed by Victoria Police on November 6.

The board heard he admitted to consuming “three to four beers” before he hopped behind the wheel.

Ross Hancock appeared at the Police Registration and Services Board on Tuesday. Picture: Athos Sirianos

On Tuesday, Mr Hancock’s representative Scott Stanley — from the police association — said Victoria Police’s handling of his client’s dismissal “lacked procedural fairness” after it initially suspended him without pay before his criminal matter was finalised.

“We say this entire process has been harsh, unjust and unreasonable,” Mr Stanley said.

“There are a number of police members charged every year ... but we don’t see them charged with disrepute and suspended without pay.

“We don’t see this process, we say this process was used improperly”.

In response Victoria Police told the board while it was “previously general practice to wait for criminality to be finalised” it was “not mandated anywhere” to do so.

Mr Stanley also submitted that the inquiry officer who investigated the matter should not have had access to court transcripts

But board member Chris Enright said it was “reasonable” for the officer to know what happened in court.

“We’re dealing with a discipline charge here the circumstances of the offending ... it’s reasonable for the inquiry officer to know what it related to,” he said.

The board heard Mr Hancock was an “extremely valuable” member of Victoria Police for 37 years.

“He loves the job and wants to return to it,” Mr Stanley said.

The board will release its decision at a later date.