Melbourne Magistrates’ Court: Senior police officer Matthew McDonald fighting misconduct charges

A Melbourne police detective is fighting charges that he had a sexual relationship with a woman he had previously charged.

Matthew McDonald, 30, a detective senior constable from the Northern West Metro Region has been charged with four counts of misconduct in public office and one count of failing to provide access code to mobile phone following an internal investigation.

A Victoria Police officer is fighting misconduct charges which relate to allegations he had a sexual relationship with a woman he charged.

Matthew McDonald, a 30-year-old detective senior constable from the Northern West Metro Region, was charged in August last year with four counts of misconduct in public office and one count of failing to provide access code to mobile phone following an internal investigation.

He appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday where he indicated he would be fighting the charges.

It is alleged the behaviour occurred both on and off duty during 2020.

Charge sheets reveal Sen-Constable McDonald allegedly had a sexual relationship with a woman he had previously charged.

The alleged relationship also breached her bail conditions which he was allegedly aware of.

It is also alleged he told her the area was “hot with police presence” and to not go outside her home.

He was also charged with failing to provide investigators with the password to his iPhone during the investigation.

The court heard prosecution was waiting on a technical report to support their case.

The case is set to be heard again in December.