Constable narrowly avoids losing his job after ‘homophobic’ remarks

A Victorian policeman has been ordered to pay his colleague compensation after a board found his remarks expressed “disgust and hatred towards gay men”.

The Police Registration and Services Board has reviewed a policeman’s ‘degrading and homophobic’ comments. Picture: AFP

A junior cop has narrowly avoided being booted from the force despite making “degrading and homophobic” comments about a gay couple involved in a domestic violence case.

Victoria Police moved to sack the probationary constable who made the offensive remarks in front of two of his colleagues – a gay man and a female constable – who had both just attended an incident between the two men.

The constable, who appealed his dismissal before the Police Registration and Services Board (PRSB), had himself taken phone calls about the same domestic violence incident.

He was accused of making the derogatory comments about the couple while in front of the colleagues in a private area of a police station.

The constable made the offensive remarks in front of two of his colleagues. Picture: David Crosling

According to the board, the comments were distressing to both officers, with the female officer so upset she contemplated resigning from Victoria Police.

But the PRSB spared the officer from being sacked after he applied for a review of his case, despite the Board conceding the officer expressed “disgust and hatred towards gay men”.

Instead, he was ordered to pay his gay colleague $10,000 in compensation and donate $2000 to the Victorian Pride Centre.

The officer accepted his conduct was “improper” but argued it was not “disgraceful”.

The Board deemed the officer’s initial dismissal as “harsh” because of his young age and lack of experience.

“We want to emphasise that the Board considers that actions of this kind would ordinarily justify dismissal,” a report on the decision said.

The Board also found the officer was genuinely sorry for making the comments, which did not reflect his actual beliefs because he was not homophobic, and that he was committed to making amends for what he said.

Opposition police spokesman Brad Battin said more education is needed to create more respectful workplaces.

“There is no place for comments like this in the workplace, and considering the rise in family violence it is vital police take all reports seriously,” he said.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the force was committed to the safety of LGBTIQA+ communities and was considering the board’s decision not to terminate the officer.

“There is absolutely no place for degrading and homophobic behaviour in our organisation,” she said.

“We will continue to work closely with LGBTIQA+ communities to enhance trust and improve relationships to increase access to policing services for LGBTIQA+ Victorians.”

All police are given “extensive” inclusivity and awareness training.

New recruits also receive mandatory family violence training, which includes learning how to manage sensitive matters, such as family violence in same-sex relationships.

Police Minister Anthony Carbines said: “There is no place for homophobic behaviour in Victoria Police. Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected at work and Victoria Police is no exception.”