Detective cleared of all charges in Laidley photo leak scandal

A police officer who took a photo of former AFL coach Dani Laidley in custody has been cleared of all charges.

Dani Laidley and partner Donna Leckie marching along Fitzroy St in St Kilda in the Melbourne Pride Festival. Picture: Ian Currie

The police officer who snapped a photo of former AFL coach Dani Laidley while in custody has had his charges dismissed.

Shane Reid, 37, was cleared of four charges including wilful misconduct at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday following a two-day hearing last month.

Magistrate Hayley Bate found the prosecution had failed to establish Mr Reid’s actions were criminal behaviour rather than workplace misconduct.

Police Officer Shane Reid actions were not found to be ‘criminal behaviour’. Picture: David Crosling

In favouring the defence’s arguments, Ms Bate upheld the “no case” submission which ruled the prosecution had provided insufficient evidence to convict Mr Reid.

She also ordered the Victoria Police Chief Commissioner to pay Mr Reid’s legal costs.

Mr Reid admitted to police he took the photo of Laidley in St Kilda police station wearing a dress, long blonde wig and make-up on Sunday, May 3, 2020.

The former cop told detectives who were investigating the leak that his actions were “dumb” and had taken away from memorials for four police officers killed in the deadly Eastern Freeway crash.

“It has put my job and the organisation in jeopardy,” he told detectives.

“I’m really disappointed something like that has happened because of me.”

After sharing the photo with colleagues in a WhatsApp group chat called the “SD1 Gentleman’s Club”, it quickly went viral and made news headlines across the country.

Mr Reid, who was a Senior Constable, resigned from the force following the controversy.