Corruption charge for veteran cop puts convictions in doubt

An anti-corruption probe has cast doubt over multiple convictions after a veteran police officer was charged with more than 80 offences, including lying to obtain a warrant.

Calum McCann (not pictured) has been charged with 86 offences. Picture: Sarah Matray

A police anti-corruption investigation has put the convictions of at least six people in doubt – including a man who spent four months in jail – after a veteran police officer was charged with more than 80 offences, including lying to obtain a search warrant.

Victoria Police has also dropped two cases that were before the courts as its deals with the ripples of the ongoing probe.

The probe has also resulted in a member of its internal affairs unit, Professional Standards Command, being charged with misconduct amid allegations they leaked information to the officer under investigation.

Victoria Police has charged former homicide detective Calum McCann with 87 offences including conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, perjury, intimidating witnesses and creating false documents.

The alleged offences occurred between June 2018 and August 2021 while Mr McCann oversaw a team of more junior police at Gisborne Police Station, northwest of Melbourne.

Mr McCann is understood to have directed less senior officers to falsify affidavits that were then used to secure warrants to raid the homes of suspected drug dealers.

Mr McCann is understood to have directed the falsification of documents. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Mr McCann has had a decorated career and was recognised for bravery in 2011 after he volunteered with another officer to enter a siege zone in Sunshine to locate any civilians being threatened by a mentally ill gunman.

The duo was repeatedly fired upon and the gunman was later charged with trying to kill them.

But his career has not been without controversy and the force tried to sack him after he was involved in the production of a racist stubby holder in 2012.

A statement from Victoria Police said Professional Standards Command and Victoria Police’s Legal Services Department have commenced an investigation into potential issues regarding the compilation of affidavits.

“Investigators have identified seven affidavits relating to 12 addresses alleged to contain some false information that were used to obtain search warrants between June 2018 and August 2020,” the statement said.

“As a result a 49-year-old male sergeant from the western region was charged on 28 October 2021 with 87 offences including misconduct in public office, incite a person to access police information, incite a person to commit misconduct in public office, conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, attempt to pervert the course of justice, perjury, intimidation or reprisals relating to witnesses and create false document.

“A detective sergeant from Professional Standards Command was also charged on 28 October 2021 with four offences including conspiracy to access police information, conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office, attempting to access police information and attempting to commit misconduct in public office.”

Police are contacting people who may have been affected. Picture: Gordon McComiskie

Victoria Police said it was in the process of contacting 15 people who may have been impacted by the potentially tainted affidavits.

This included one person sentenced to four-month term of imprisonment and community corrections order, four people sentenced to community corrections orders and five people convicted of offences with no term of imprisonment.

Victoria Police said the probe had been launched following a tip-off from a fellow officer.

“This is an isolated issue involving a very small number of officers,” the statement said.

“While any allegation of falsified affidavits is completely unacceptable, it is pleasing to see the issue was raised internally for investigation. It shows the vast majority of officers are doing the right thing and will not stand by idly if they see potential employee misconduct.”