Cop under investigation after alleged toothpaste theft caught on CCTV
A Victoria Police detective is being investigated over theft claims after he was allegedly caught on camera pocketing toothpaste during a raid of a Seaford dentist. WATCH THE VIDEO.
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A detective is being investigated after being caught on camera pocketing tiny tubes of toothpaste as police raided a suburban dental clinic.
CCTV cameras set up inside the Seaford clinic appear to show the male detective shoving a handful of mini toothpaste tubes into his pocket as he strode through the business.
The tubes appeared to be samples that are sometimes provided free to customers at clinics.
The detective avoided the dentist’s chair but was on Friday put in an even more uncomfortable seat — hauled in to explain himself to the force’s internal Professional Standards Command.
Victoria Police confirmed the detective’s brush with the law to the Herald Sun, saying a formal investigation was underway.
Theft is considered a serious indictable crime in Victoria and carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.
“Professional Standards Command are investigating the report of a theft,” a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.
“As the investigation is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
The footage, obtained by the Herald Sun, captures the officer entering the dentistry behind a female colleague before suddenly stopping next to a wooden display table.
With gloved hands, he then picks up several toothpaste tubes and stuffs them into his pocket before striding off camera.
The CCTV was reviewed by the clinic and a complaint about the officer taking the toothpaste was filed on Friday.
In the footage provided to the Herald Sun a woman watching the vision can be heard to say: “Oh help yourself during the raid.”
Another complaint was made about police touching sterile equipment, including handling dentures.
Investigators from Dandenong probing a credit card scam had raided the clinic, searching for goods which were meant to be delivered but never arrived.
The probe came as the force revealed details of another professional standards incident.
It revealed a police officer was on Friday charged with unlawful assault and assault by kicking.
The officer is a senior constable from the Eastern police service region.
The charges related to an alleged off duty incident that occurred on January 31 this year.
He will appear in court at a later date
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