IBAC to examine old cases by disgraced top cop

RACISM complaints examined under disgraced former Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Brett Guerin will be assessed by IBAC as the fallout to the senior officer’s resignation continues.

RACISM complaints examined under disgraced former Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Brett Guerin will be assessed by IBAC as the fallout to the senior officer’s resignation continues.

IBAC today gave details about the scope of its investigation into the conduct of Mr Guerin.

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IBAC commissioner Robert Redlich, QC, said: “IBAC’s Operation Turon will examine Mr Guerin’s conduct in posting inappropriate material under various pseudonyms on social media.

“It will also examine the extent to which Mr Guerin’s conduct, in his role as the head of Professional Standards Command or otherwise, may have affected the investigation and outcomes of matters where racism and other potential breaches of anti-discrimination or human rights law may have been relevant.”

IBAC commissioner Robert Redlich.

Brett Guerin is under probe.

IBAC will also probe the adequacy of Victoria Police policies and procedures.

It will recommend ways to strengthen the force’s systems and practices to prevent misconduct in the future.

The anti-corruption body has similar powers to a royal commission.

It can investigate allegations of police misconduct where Victoria Police personnel fail or refuse to perform their duties, behave disgracefully or improperly, discredit other Victoria Police personnel, bring Victoria Police into disrepute or affect public confidence in Victoria Police.

“Given the serious nature of the reported conduct, the level of concern expressed by the community is understandable,” Mr Redlich said.

“Victoria Police is fully co-operating with IBAC’s investigation and providing every assistance requested.”

Mr Guerin, one of the state’s most senior officers, quit earlier this week after admitting he was behind an anonymous Facebook account with which he posted a number of lewd and offensive messages.

Victoria Police Commissioner Graham Ashton announced Brett Guerin’s resignation on Tuesday. Picture: AAP Image/Andrew Leeson

African leaders said they welcomed and accepted the apology by Deputy Commissioner Andrew Crisp, who they said denounced the comments made by Mr Guerin at their first official meeting of a taskforce set up to tackle youth crime.

It was a tense week for relations between the African community and Victoria Police after the extraordinary revelations the top cop had made racial slurs in his bizarre online rants.

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Ahmed Hassan, one of the South-Sudanese men leading the taskforce, said police and community leaders had a “robust” discussion at Tuesday night’s meeting as they worked to address crime among African youths.

“We have suggested that there be more cultural training (at Victoria Police),” Mr Hassan said.

“Andrew Crisp came in on the front foot — it (his apology) was received well.”

Anyone with specific information or evidence relevant to the investigation into Mr Guerin should contact IBAC at ibac.vic.gov.au or 1300 735 135.

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@davidhurleyHS